Yussef Dayes (born 12 December 1992) is an English jazz drummer, composer, and record producer.
He is known for his work with keyboardist Kamaal Williams, releasing the 2016 album Black Focus as the duo Yussef Kamaal and with English singer and guitarist Tom Misch, releasing the 2020 collaborative album What Kinda Music. Dayes released his debut solo album Black Classical Music on 8 September 2023.
Career
2009–2016: United Vibrations
Dayes formed the band United Vibrations with brothers Ahmad on trombone, Kareem on bass, and their friend saxophonist Wayne Francis II where they played "Afro-beat stylings with forward-looking jazz and rock". They released their first single "Ra!" in 2009. The band worked as a backing band for Aloe Blacc while on his UK tour. The same year, they made a live appearance on Later... with Jools Holland. United Vibrations released their debut album Galaxies Not Ghettos in 2011. This was followed by the 2012 EP We Never Die and the album The Myth of the Golden Ratio (2016).
2016–2017: Yussef Kamaal
Dayes met keyboardist Kamaal Williams in 2007. The two kept in touch and played together on occasion, but upon rehearsing William's solo work for a Boiler Room gig, they started playing as a band.
