Byron Christopher Landham (aka) “Wookie” was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on November 16th, 1969.
He is the youngest of six children (four girls and two boys). His older brother Robert began studying clarinet and saxophone at the age of 12. Byron, being influenced by his brother and naturally being around all genres of music, took an interest in the drums at the of 7. At the age of 10 he enrolled at Settlement Music School where he studied classical percussion and jazz drumming. The freedom of creative expression in jazz was appealing to Byron, and became his main focus. By the time he graduated from high school, he was a top call on the Philly jazz scene. In 1992, his musical prowess had earned him steady work with some of the finest musicians in the world.
That includes stints with the late great Betty Carter, George Coleman, Bobby Hutcherson, Joey DeFrencesco, Frank Wes, Pat Martino, Cyrus Chestnut, Russell Malone, Ruth Naomi Floyd, Hannibal Lokumbe and the Liberation Orchestra, and most recently a 3 year stint with six time Grammy Award winner Dave Sanborn. Byron Has recorded on at least fifty cd’s to his credit as well as co-produced Joey DeFrancesco’s Grammy nominated cd “Never Can Say Goodbye” tribute to the late Michael Jackson.
One of Byron’s current projects is The Landham Brothers, featuring multitalented reed man and brother Robert Landham. Their latest release on the Straight Street Label is entitled “The Shape of Things To Come” has received rave reviews.
Byron continues to be a strong advocate for jazz education. He’s performed drum clinics at several University’s and music stores in American and Canada and is currently on faculty at Temple University, Philadelphia (PA), where he serves as an adjunct Professor of Jazz Studies for Drumming. For the past five years he’s taught drums and Jazz combo at the “We Love Jazz” summer music camp and jazz festival in Isola Del Cantone (Italy).
Byron Landham
