John Paris

John Paris
John Paris
	Paris drumming with Earth, Wind, & Fire in 2010
Background information
Born	Trenton, New Jersey, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Musician, arranger, producer, singer, and songwriter
Instrument	Multi-instrumentalist
Years active	1987– current
Member of	Earth, Wind & Fire

John Paris is an American musician, best known as the drummer for Earth, Wind & Fire. Paris has also worked with artists such as Sheila E, Stephanie Mills, Patti LaBelle, Wayman Tisdale, Mica Paris and Kelly Clarkson.^[1]^[2]

Early life

John Paris was born in Trenton, New Jersey, into a musically inclined family. His mother was a musician and jazz singer, and his father was a big band leader and singer. Paris began playing drums at a young age. During his early teens, he relocated to San Francisco and later to Oakland, California, where he became involved in the local music scene.

Career

Paris firstly toured with Sheila E. and later performed on Stephanie Mills' 1987 album If I Were Your Woman. He then played the drums on Patti LaBelle's 1991 album Burnin',1992 album Live and Philip Bailey's 1994 self titled album. Paris also appeared on Bruce Hornsby's 1995 LP Hot House, Wayman Tisdale's 1995 album Power Forward and the Dazz Band's 1997 LP Double Exposure. What's more, he played on Wayman Tisdale's 1998 album Decisions, Mica Paris' 1998 album Black Angel and Kelly Clarkson's 2017 album Meaning of Life.^[3]^[1]

In 2001, John Paris joined Earth, Wind & Fire as their drummer. Paris has since performed on the band's 2003 studio album The Promise, 2005's Illumination, 2013's Now, Then & Forever and 2014's Holiday.^[4]^[5] John Paris is also a member of the American music duo Back 2 Basics, which he formed with saxophonist Eddie Mininfield.^[6]