Chicago expat; United States Navy Band drummer;

David Agee has developed a reputation for his professionalism and versatility as a musician.

Moving to Chicago was the catalyst for Agee’s musical career. The diverse and robust Chicago music scene helped mold Agee into a first-call sideman throughout a 9-year stint. Agee enjoyed playing the role of a chameleon in many genres: jazz, funk, contemporary pop, New Orleans brass band, zydeco, singer-songwriter, and musical theater among others.

While in Chicago, Agee was featured on 10 album releases and shared the stage with many notable performers: Phil Woods, Renaldo Domino, Mark Colby, Scott Hesse, Chris Madsen, Ron Perrillo, Victor Garcia, Rob Clearfield, Matt Ulery, Marquis Hill, and opened for Jennifer Hudson. As a sideman, he performed with many acts including the Chicago Jazz Orchestra, Glenn Miller Orchestra, Lowdown Brass Band, Frank Catalano, and Mucca Pazza to name a few. An award-winning musician, Agee was a recipient of the 2016 Luminarts Fellowship for his outstanding performance in jazz improvisation.

David relocated to Washington DC after winning the drumset chair for the United States Navy Band Sea Chanters in 2017.  With the Sea Chanters, Agee has performed for the President of the United States at the White House, NFL halftime shows, and the Fireworks Spectacular with the Boston Pops.

Active on the scene in DC and Baltimore, Agee has freelanced with the National Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, American Pops Orchestra, Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra, MW9 featuring Jon Irabagon, Third Rail, Eli Staples, and is the bandleader of District Brass.  In addition to performing, David maintains a private studio of local/online students through Groh Studios (@grohstudios), est. 2018.

Doubling as a rehearsal/recording space, Groh Studios allows Agee to work with many artists through remote recording projects.  He has been featured on releases by Gerald Bailey, Anthony Bruno, and Ryan Adamsons’ “Inside Voices”.

Agee received his BA in Production Studies in Performing Arts from Clemson University and a MM in Jazz Studies from DePaul University. His primary teachers include Paul Buyer, Bob Rummage, Joel Spencer, Bob Palmieri, and has studied privately with Peter Erskine and Gregg Field. David proudly endorses Remo drumheads, Vic Firth sticks/brushes/mallets, and is a member of ASCAP.

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