Kai Craig

“KAI CRAIG, WHAT CAN I SAY? HE’S THE NEXT WAVE OF BADASS DUDES WHO CAN TAKE THE INSTRUMENT TO A NEW LEVEL. HE’S GOT THE TOOLS TO BE GREAT.” - GREGORY HUTCHINSON

Born in Brighton, UK (b.2000), Kai Craig first picked up sticks at the age of 2 and began formally studying with his father at the age of 6. Kai’s musical inspiration was sparked by hearing recordings from his father’s record collection. His early exposure to a wide range of music, and the playing styles connected to them, enabled him to develop his initial understanding of music, and planted the seed from which his own playing approach grew.

At age 18, Kai moved to London to study at the Royal Academy of Music, from which he graduated in 2022 with First Class Honours. He is grateful to have been mentored by Gregory Hutchinson, one of his greatest influences on the drum set, since 2020. In the past, he also had the honour of studying with Marcus Gilmore, Francesco Ciniglio, Jason Brown, Martin France, Ian Thomas, James Maddren and has enjoyed opportunities to work with the likes of Soweto Kinch, Géraud Portal, Romain Pilon, Kit Downes, Graeme Blevins, Nigel Price, Ivo Neame, Franck Amsallem, Stan Sulzmann, Giacamo Smith, Raynald Colom, Gareth Lockrane, Laurence Cottle and Anders Jormin. Whilst in London, Kai regularly performed at venues such as Ronnie Scott’s, Pizza Express Dean Street, The Vortex and The 606, with select performances at the Royal Albert Hall, Birmingham Symphony Hall and the Southbank Centre. Whilst at the Academy, Kai also began his musical relationship with Sean Payne with whom he recently recorded Sean’s upcoming debut album. 

Following his graduation, Kai was based in Paris, where he quickly became an integral part of the scene, performing regularly at venues such as Le Duc Des Lombards, Sunset/Sunside, Le Baiser Salé and across Europe. Kai is now based out of Brooklyn, New York where he will be based for the foreseeable future. In January of 2023, Kai will record his debut album in Köln, Germany alongside Sean Payne, James Copus, Antonio Farào and Géraud Portal (prod. Gregory Hutchinson). 

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