Damon Hamilton Project

The Damon Hamilton Project (DHP) is much more than a talented man and a beautiful voice. Just as a whole finds power in the sum of its parts, and a chain is as strong as its links, the strength of the DHP lies in the individual talents of each member. Comprised of seven men, all with diverse gifts and influences, the DHP constantly transcends genre-based music.
           
The men behind the instruments possess a unique perspective that is refreshing to the ear and nourishing to the soul. There is an alchemy that makes itself apparent when these men play together.  Each member is a force in their own right; however, together, they shine as The Damon Hamilton Project.

ACE

Bassist | Musical Director | Arranger | Vocalist

William “Ace Bassie” Matthews has a musical heritage that others would kill for.  Grandson of the legendary “Count Bassie,” Matthews was baptized with a natural affinity for the bass guitar. Citing his grandfather as both a “musical coach and friend,” Williams mixes the sound of his birthright with the modernity of hip hop and R & B.

Matthews' accomplishments extend far beyond the bass guitar. This Brooklyn native is a Vietnam veteran who served in the Marine Corps for over 4 years. Following his tour of duty, Matthews spent 20 years as a life guard, keeping Atlantic City residents safe. From active duty to beach patrol, Matthews brings the richness of real life into his music. 

Matthews possesses an extensive list of collaborations and credentials. He has worked with countless heavyweights, from Dexter Wansel to India Aire.
Mr. Hamilton met Matthews while both men were rehearsing with Skizmaticz, a hip hop/neo-soul fusion band based in Philadelphia, PA.

BX

Emcee | Lyricist | Drummer | Pianist

Mark “BX” Brodnax has a talent that was probably sketched in the stars. From Emcee to pianist, he honors this Gemini nature by wearing many musical hats. Brodnax, a performer since the age of 6, attributes his instrumental abilities to his father, Mark Bordnax Sr. He is also heavily influenced by the men who cross musical boundaries such as Jay-Z and Will Smith.

As founding member of Skizmatikz and B-N-B, Brodnax is no stranger to anyone well-versed in Philadelphia hip hop.  Mr. Hamilton and Brodnax share a long history of collaboration including their most recent work together on The Damon Hamilton Project.


DEE

Drummer | Vocalist | Producer | DJ 

Robert “Dee” Dinkins is best known in and around Philadelphia as “DJ Robby D.” This Philadelphia native has been rocking parties, and making beats since age 9. Twenty years since touching his first drum set, Dee has lent his skill to countless bands, both regionally and beyond.

When Dinkins is not working with live music, he can be found scratching on the turn tables. He is the proprietor of G Cleff Entertainment, a full service DJ/Entertainment company. After discovering that he and Mr. Hamilton lived “around the corner” from each other, the two teamed up to work on bringing their ideas to life. Realizing their potential, the two men formed a garage band that would later evolve into The Damon Hamilton Project.


MARIKO

Music has always been a part of Mariko’s life. Born and raised in
Camden, NJ, her parents vowed to expose her to many different cultures and experiences. They knew the best way to do that was through music. On long car rides, they’d listen to The Temptations’ greatest hits. Opera and classical music filled their home around the holidays. But it was R&B and Pop from the 90s that truly struck a chord with her; Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston & Luther Vandross were her idols. She’d spend hours choreographing dance routines to their hits and would perform them in front of friends & family. She started singing in
choruses in elementary school and gained singing roles in her high
school’s musicals. But that wasn’t enough for her, so she started
taking private voice lessons. There, while singing opera, she was
exposed to the vocal techniques that would strengthen her voice.
Mariko spent the next four years at college, singing and performing with an a capella group. She honed her ear to find intricate harmonies and learned to blend her voice mellifluously. Audiences were dazzled with her stage presence and asked: Who is that small girl with such a big voice? Now, back in the Philly area, she’s got people asking the same question.



CRAIG

Mr. Bradley was born in Washington, DC. The beginnings of his career as a musician were not much different than the typical beginnings of almost all rock guitar players. It all started when he was 13 and his cousin taught him to play 'Stairway to Heaven'.  All the girls stopped and watched when he played it... And, that was that - he became a guitarist. Luckily, his interest in learning such an 'impactiful' instrument continued to grow and developed his skill and experience across various genre's.  His most relevant influences include Ernie Isley and Micheal Hampton, and often times during a DHP set one may be able to hear such nuances.

Outside of contributing his genre-bending style to the overall look and feel and sound of the DHP, he spends most of his rehearsal time actively campaigning for the DHP to cover 'Summer Breeze' and 'Cosmic Slop' so he can personally pay homage to those guys who made him the guitarist that he was, is, and always will be...



ZACH

Lead Guitar | Percussion | Vocalist | Drummer

Since birth Zach has been surrounded by music in all forms, ranging from classical to noise fusion. The first four albums he ever heard were Led Zeppelin I, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young - So Far, Santana-Abraxus and Steppenwolf- Greatest Hits. The profound effect of these harmonies, drums and guitar lines still reverberate in his life.

He gives thanks Mom and Dad. Main Musical Influences: Miles Davis, Jimi Hendrix, Mahivishnu Orchestra, The Grateful Dead, Bob Marley and the Wailers, Frank Zappa, Willie Nelson, Pink Floyd, Beatles, The Doors and many more.

He began his musical career by playing drums in the 3rd grade. Zach progressed through the band from elementary to middle school. At 13 he bought his first guitar, the legendary red Harmony electric. He left for college with an acoustic guitar and a dream. His college band, The Renaissance Society, operated with 11 musicians (4 rappers, 1 female singer, 2 guitarists, 1 bass, 1 key player, 1 horn player and 1 drummer). After college he joined up with Doc LEE, a Philadelphia soul singer in January 2008. They were practicing at the Ridge Avenue studio, where many of Philadelphia's soul groups practice, when he met Damon Hamilton and the Project to be.



SMALL

Harmonist | Rocker | Vocalist | Emcee

This man is the true rock and rap priest that initiated the sound and gave voice to the emotion, rose from the urban centers to carve a new path for those who believe to follow. His voice carries the pain and joy of a thousand years, and puts words to the heart unexpressed. Listen and believe.

He was bred in the Carribean, raised in the city, and schooled in the arts. An amalgamation of American culture from the past twenty years, his band St. Alborne reaps the work of rap, soul, and hard rock pioneers to create a sound that’s unique, familiar and energized.




HERBST

Vocalist | Beat Box | Emcee | Harmonist

Singing came rather late in life for Ryan Herbst, however music was clear and present by age 10 by way of the alto and baritone saxophone in the middle school jazz band. Having not grown up in household of singers or musicians, it was baseball, tennis, and football that occupied much of his free time. Ryan’s sound stage was the back of the football bus on the way to the big games. The encouragement and praise from his teammates was the first time he began to recognize his talent.

It wasn’t until his freshman year at Villanova that he began to really take music and performing seriously. Soon he had found his way to one of the music industry's most renowned vocal coaches and Philadelphia's own Owen Brown. It was here that he developed his ability for improvisation, writing, and of course, getting the most out of his voice.

His first experience performing in public began at karaoke, then it was the local open mic nights, and finally singing lead in a New England-based funk band backed by Nevile Brothers' guitarist, Jon Suters. Ryan first met Damon while performing at Philadelphia's Club Fuzion. They appreciated each others’ love of and for music as well as each others vocal talent.
 


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