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| Tris Imboden | |
|---|---|
| Name | Tris Imboden |
| Background | non_vocal_instrumentalist |
| Birth date | 1951-02-08 |
| Birth place | Waukegan, Illinois, United States |
| Instrument | Drums, percussion |
| Genre | Rock, pop, blues, jazz |
| Occupation | Musician, drummer |
| Years active | 1960s–present |
| Associated acts | Chicago (band), Kenny Loggins, Stevie Nicks, Santana (band), Buckingham Nicks |
Tris Imboden is an American drummer and percussionist known for his work in rock, pop, blues, and jazz contexts. He achieved mainstream prominence as the drummer for Chicago (band) from 1990 to 2018 and is noted for extensive session work with artists across multiple genres. Imboden's career spans touring, studio recording, and television appearances with leading figures and institutions in popular music.
Imboden was born in Waukegan, Illinois, near Chicago, Illinois, and raised in a region shaped by the cultural influences of the Great Lakes area and the Midwestern United States. He studied percussion during his formative years, participating in local ensembles and school bands in suburban Lake County, Illinois while influenced by the recordings of Buddy Rich, Ginger Baker, John Bonham, and Ringo Starr. Early exposure to touring acts through nearby venues like the Arie Crown Theater and radio stations such as WXRT (FM) informed his pursuit of a professional music career.
Imboden's professional trajectory moved from regional ensembles to national and international stages, combining live performance with session recording. He worked in club circuits and appeared on television programs that featured contemporary popular music, including shows connected to NBC and MTV (U.S. TV channel), while collaborating with producers linked to A&M Records, Warner Bros. Records, and Columbia Records. Over decades he balanced commitments to touring acts and studio dates, adapting to shifts in production driven by figures like Quincy Jones, David Foster, and Phil Ramone.
As a session drummer, Imboden performed on recordings and tours for a wide array of artists spanning rock, pop, blues, and country. His credits include work with singer-songwriters and bands such as Kenny Loggins, Stevie Nicks, David Crosby, Graham Nash, Jackson Browne, Suzanne Vega, and Bob Seger. He recorded and toured with guitarists and bands including Santana (band), Steve Miller Band, Don Henley, and Peter Frampton, and contributed to projects involving producers like T Bone Burnett and Rick Rubin. Imboden's session résumé also lists appearances with pop and adult contemporary figures linked to Capitol Records and Island Records, and collaborations with artists associated with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Imboden succeeded Danny Seraphine as drummer for Chicago (band) in 1990, joining a lineup that included Robert Lamm, James Pankow, Walter Parazaider, Lee Loughnane, Bill Champlin, and later additions such as Jason Scheff and Keith Howland. During his tenure he performed on albums released by Reprise Records and Rhino Entertainment, and toured extensively on concert circuits that included amphitheaters, arenas, and festival stages associated with tours promoted by companies like Live Nation Entertainment and AEG Presents. Imboden appeared with the band on television specials, award shows, and international concert engagements in markets such as Japan, Europe, and Australia, and participated in repertoire spanning the band's catalog from the 1970s through contemporary releases. He departed the group in 2018, after contributing nearly three decades of performances and recordings.
Outside of Chicago, Imboden led and joined ensembles for club engagements, benefit concerts, and recording sessions that involved musicians from Little Feat, The Doobie Brothers, Journey, and Eagles-related projects. He performed in studio and live settings with artists tied to Blue Note Records and Verve Records on jazz and blues projects, and participated in tribute shows honoring figures such as Elvis Presley, The Beatles, and Jimi Hendrix. Imboden has also been involved in percussion clinics, instructional workshops, and charity events connected to organizations like MusiCares and regional music education programs.
Imboden's personal life has been centered in California, reflecting a relocation from his Midwestern origins to the Los Angeles area, a hub for recording and touring musicians linked to Hollywood, Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley. He has balanced family life with the demands of touring and studio work, and maintained relationships with contemporaries from session communities around studios such as Sunset Sound and Westlake Recording Studios. Imboden has engaged in philanthropic activities and industry events alongside other musicians and industry professionals.
Throughout his career Imboden has been recognized within musician and industry circles for his versatility and professionalism, earning commendations from peers associated with institutions like the Percussive Arts Society and endorsements from instrument manufacturers tied to Vater Percussion, Zildjian, and DW Drums. His long association with Chicago (band) and extensive session credits have been cited in publications connected to Billboard (magazine), Rolling Stone (magazine), and regional music press, reflecting his sustained impact on popular music performance.
Category:American drummers Category:People from Waukegan, Illinois Category:Chicago (band) members