DeAndre “Dre King” Shaifer (Musician/ Composer/ Producer/ Multi-instrumentalist)
Washington DCwww.dreking.com www.twitter.com/dreking
DeAndre “Dre King” Shaifer , originally from Gary Indiana, is a talented Musician/ Composer/ Producer/ Multi-instrumentalist who resides in the Washington D.C. area. DeAndre’s received his Bachelors Degree in Jazz Studies from the University of the District of Columbia where he was the last graduating student of the late great Calvin Jones Sr.
As a composer, DeAndre’ was selected to participate in the prestigious Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead Program hosted by the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts. As an up and coming producer and musician he has earned credits with the likes of 3 -time-Grammy Nominated Artist Raheem Devaughn, Kindred the Family Soul, Wale, Conya Doss, Sy Smith, Jon Bibbs, W. Ellington Felton, K’alyn, Bilal Salaam, Wayna and Nicholas Ryan Gant. As gifted trumpeter, DeAndre’ has shared the stage w/ Isaac Hayes, Patti Labelle, James Ingram, Frank McComb, Candy Dulfer, Winard Harper, Nathan Davis, Carmen Lundy, John Clayton, Jimmy Owens and many more.
Tell us about your latest projects?
I’ve got three projects that I’ve been working on.
Capital Jazz Super Cruise (Musical Director) Just completed my 3rd year as Musical Director for the “Under Ground Lounge” for the Capital Jazz Super Cruise which sets sail the last week in October . The Underground Lounge features some of the world’s most talented Independent Soul Artists. Each year we typically highlight 7-10 Artists (100-150 Songs).
Dre-Kay “Common Thread Project” I just completed a full length project that was a collaboration with singer songwriter Kenny “K’alyn” Allen(Addis, Ethiopia). I produced all the music, while Kenny wrote all the lyrics and delivered all the vocal performance. We exchanged music files via the internet over the span of a year until the projects completion. www.dre-kay1.bandcamp.com
Raheem Devaughn “A Place Called Loveland” I produced 2 tracks on 3x Grammy Nominated Artists Raheem Devaughn’s “A Place Called Loveland” Album scheduled for release in 2013.
What do you like best about your Namba Gear?
What I like best about the Big Namba Studio Backpack is that I can fit my entire portable studio, which includes a 17inch Mac Book Pro (power supply), M-audio firewire 410 Interface, Native Instrument Maschine Controller, Sustain Pedal,a pair of Dr. Dre’s Beats “Mixr” Head Phones, several usb/firewire and quarter-inch cables, inside my “Big Namba” backpack. I also love how rugged my bag is. I can be hard on a travel bag and my Namba has withstood the ups and downs of travel for over a year now. I’m also impressed w/ the stylish look of the bag. I always get compliments on it whenever I’m out at shows. Lastly, I love the fact that my bag fits perfectly in the overhead compartment of all the airliners, as well!
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