BIO
Curtis McCain is a dynamic multi-percussionist who plays a variety of music styles and genres. Curtis has been playing professionally for 24 years and has shared the stage and recorded with many well-known artists.
Curtis was born and raised in California's Bay Area and is a third-generation musician. His grandfather, Joe McCain was a talented jazz trumpeter and his father Mike 'Big Daddy' McCain was a well-known saxophonist, percussionist and vocalist throughout California. Mike played with artists such as Cal Tjader, The Temptations and many more. Curtis was exposed to a wide range of music at a very young age. Jazz, Latin, Salsa, Brazilian, Dixieland, Oldies, R&B, Funk, Rock, Hip-Hop, Disco, Pop and Soul music were all staples in the McCain household.
Curtis was always fascinated by the sound of the conga drums. As a young child he would ask his father to put on old salsa records and play congas to them. In 1988 his father pulled him aside and began teaching him simple conga patterns. In 1992, after a few years of practice, Curtis started to develop a more natural rhythm. His father then began showing him various styles of jazz improvisation. Curtis began to study and practice to such talents as Poncho Sanchez, Ramon 'Mongo' Santamaria, Ray Barretto and Paulinho Da Costa. With all his musical exposure and experiences, Curtis was developing his own sound and techniques as a percussionist and this is where the talent was born. In 1999, Curtis embarked on his performing career as a freelance percussionist.
Curtis has since performed with many smooth jazz greats such as; Nick Colionne, Chuck Loeb, Keiko Matsui, Gerald Veasley, Karen Briggs, Gerald Albright, Alex Bugnon, Chieli Minucci, Rick Braun, Norman Brown, Marion Meadows, Eric Darius, James Lloyd, Everette Harp, Patti Austin, Nelson Rangell, Maysa Leak, Kim Waters, Ray Fuller, Lao Tizer, Jeff Lorber, Randy Brecker, Eric Marienthal, Bobby Lyle, Jeff Golub, Chris "Big Dog" Davis, Brian Simpson, Lindsey Webster, Will Donato, Jazmin Ghent, Adam Hawley, Marcus Anderson, Althea Rene and Elliot Yamin. This experience led to many great opportunities to perform, record and tour with these and many more of the great jazz artists of our time.
Today, Curtis works as a full time percussionist and is excited for what the future holds. His motto "Bringin’ Spice To Your Life" sums up his style and resonates loud and clear with his ever-growing fan base. He is a truly dedicated musician who does it for no other reason than his love for music.