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Ivan Hampden grew up in the New York City neighborhood of Harlem. He started drumming at age 8, and established himself as a working musician by age 14, playing local bars and events. While attending college at Bronx Community College and Rutgers University, he joined the percussion ensemble at the Dance Theatre of Harlem, and began working with singer Eartha Kitt. He went on to write and produce rap albums, and toured with Kurtis Blow on Rick James' Cold Blooded album tour in 1983. In the mid-1980s he was introduced to songwriting/recording team Ashford & Simpson, and later joined Luther Vandross band as drummer and songwriter until Vandross death in 2005. Throughout his career, Hampden toured and performed with a number of celebrated artists, including Roberta Flack, Chaka Khan, Jennifer Lopez, Bonnie Raitt, India Arie, Stevie Wonder, Dionne Warwick, Little Richard, Gladys Knight, Vanessa Williams, among many others.
Hampden was recognized for his participation as Arranger/Musician/Programmer on two Grammy Award-winning recordings at the 2004 Grammy Awards: Best R&B Album "Dance With My Father" performed by Luther Vandross, and Best R&B Performance By A Duo or Group with Vocals "The Closer I Get to You" performed by Beyonca and Luther Vandross. Today, he lives with his wife in Clayton, NC which is a suburb of Raleigh, North Carolina. He continues to play, write and produce. He also taught recording production at North Carolina Central University. He offers private drum lessons at a local music academy and has founded a school of percussion in Clayton, NC.
