Yussef Dayes

Yussef Dayes is a pioneering jazz drummer, composer, and record producer recognized for his innovative approach to music and collaborations across various genres. After forming United Vibrations with his brothers Ahmad and Kareem and saxophonist Wayne Francis II in 2009, Yussef Dayes quickly established himself as a pioneering jazz drummer, composer, and record producer. The band, known for its Afro-beat stylings infused with jazz and rock, released their debut single ‘Ra!’ in 2009. United Vibrations toured as backing for Aloe Blacc and made a live appearance on ‘Later…

with Jools Holland’ in 2010, before releasing their debut album, ‘Galaxies Not Ghettos,’ in 2011. This was followed by the EP ‘We Never Die’ in 2012 and the album ‘The Myth of the Golden Ratio’ in 2016. The same year, Dayes co-founded Yussef Kamaal with keyboardist Kamaal Williams, releasing their debut album ‘Black Focus’ on Brownswood Recordings, which achieved significant acclaim by reaching number 26 on the Official Charts Company’s Jazz & Blues chart. Transitioning to a solo career following Yussef Kamaal’s dissolution in 2017, Dayes established his label, Cashmere Thoughts Recordings, releasing the track ‘Love Is the Message’ in 2018.

Its impact was recognized with the prestigious Best Album Ivor Novello Award in 2024. The acclaim for ‘Black Classical Music’ extended to a Brit Award nomination for Best New Artist in 2024, highlighting Dayes’s growing influence and significant contributions to the music landscape. His work continues to be a testament to his innovative drumming and compositional prowess, making him a highly sought-after artist in both the jazz and broader contemporary music scenes.