His stepfather, Cliff Swesey, a popular jazz drummer in L.A. performing with the likes of Frank Sinatra, Billy May and Jimmy Dorsey taught Dave the basic techniques as well as a variety of popular beats and styles which the eager pre-teen feverishly practiced.  This influence of having a professional drummer in the family gave Dave a fantastic opportunity to learn lessons that no school could teach. He gained a wealth of knowledge for performance, maintaining relationships and overall philosophies on life in the music business. 

 Whether it's for his drumming skills, reading and writing music or for his studio expertise

 Dave Haddad is reliable, competent, innovative, fun, easy to work and professional in all aspects.



Dave has performed live or in the studio with such noted artists as Richie "Gajate" Garcia, Michael Landau, James Ingram, Ardeshir Farah (Strunz and Farah), Bruce Conti (Tower of Power), Bobby Womack, Jimmy Z (Eurythmics & Etta James), Timothy Drury (Eagles & Whitesnake), Roger Smith (Tower of Power), Charlie Bisharat, Dean Parks (Steely Dan), Vince Neil (Motley Crue) and Ronnie Montrose. He has opened for Herbie Hancock, Robben Ford, Dave Mason, Pete Escovido and the Duke Ellington Orchestra. Television appearances include MTV, VH1, E!, The Playboy Channel, live via satellite concerts and numerous cable programs.


Wanting to expand his musical horizons, Dave connected himself in the Northern California Jazz scene playing with bands like the Reggie Graham Trio, the Dave Lynch Band and Symposium. He also spent three years as a drum instructor at Drum and Guitar City in Sacramento.  It was during this time that Dave felt he needed a new teacher so he found Aaron Smith (former drummer for The Temptations) and who was a student of drumming legend Alan Dawson and a college roommate with Billy Cobham.  

Starting in junior high school, Dave took concert and stage band and developed as a drummer all the while taking private instruction from his step-father. Later, while attending American River College he toured Europe performing at the Montreux jazz Festival and Neuchatel Ozone Jazz Festival in Switzerland and France. After college Dave joined a successful Sacramento based Rhythm & Blues/Soul Band called Lady and the Boys. They played the Northern California Clubs and festivals for about 5 years peaking in the mid 80's with a Department of Defense tour to Japan, Korea and the Philippines.

Dave Haddad

It was around this time that Dave started to venture out on his own and take on solo projects.  He began producing

soundtracks for films and outsourcing his drumming skills to other talented musicians. This led to the development of his own recording studio, "The Womb".  While supplementing his income working as a studio and live sound engineer, Dave's skills were noticed by a client who subsequently opened the door to the Persian music scene.  Dave now plays drums for many world renowned Persian Artists (most notably Googoosh) and has become a widely sought after drummer in the increasingly popular World Music industry.

Drums were first introduced into Dave’s life around age 7 when his father brought home a Buddy Rich record and a pair of drum sticks.  He would play Buddy’s drum solo on “West Side Story” and give each of the kids the pair of drum sticks and have them take turns wailing away on the carpet.  He was a jazz enthusiast who also took Dave to a Shelly Manne concert when he was very young; the experience still etched deep in Dave's subconscious.   ​However it wasn’t for several more years before Dave developed an interest in playing drums.  Living with his mother now remarried to a jazz drummer they moved from Southern to Northern California.  It’s fair to say that during this time Dave was not very focused but now growing up in a family where the world of drumming was ever present, Dave at age 11, found his passion for the instrument and was given a chance to test his skills. ​ ​

​                            With performances in more than 25 countries Dave has worn through a few passports.  Having played in storied venues such as Royal Albert Hall, Hammersmith Theater and Wembly Arena in London and The Dolby Theater, The Gibson and Nokia (Microsoft) Theaters in Los Angeles Dave has left a lasting impression on many satisfied fans.  Having this worldwide exposure has brought endorsements from companies such as Vater Drumsticks, Sabian Cymbals, Reunion Blues Gig Bags, Ace Products, Pig Hog Cables and RockNRoller Carts.  A Grammy Academy Member since 2016 and featured speaker at the 2017 Beverly Hills Career Day Mentorship Program.

In 2010 Dave released his first solo CD (Songs from the Womb) under band name “CenterPeace”. The double CD has had many itunes downloads and cdbaby sales.  The success of "Songs from the Womb" led to European EP releases "Earthbound" & "Evolution" and brought worldwide exposure to Dave’s original musical project. 2016 CenterPeace dropped their second CD "Global Chilling", an instrumental journey of theatrical music spanning multipule genres.
In 1992 DH made the move to Southern California where he has remained ever since.  Soon after arriving, he joined the Rob Vinton Band and recorded at Capitol Records, Rumbo Studios, Hollywood Sound, Oceanway and did a live 24 track remote recording produced by Alan Klein of Beatles fame. The band was well received on the Hollywood Club Circuit.

Bio - History - Education


Drummer - Producer - Composer

"Dave Haddad plays well in any time signature" Anonymous engineer.

"Fantastic production, killer tunes, brilliant performances!" -db, Full Dimensional Stereo.

"If your sound is bad, try Haddad.  If your sound is grave, call Dave" Cowboy Surfer. 
​  "Dave makes every band he plays with sound better" Daniel Tharratt.  

                                                                                                                    Aaron Smith taught Dave the importance of keeping time with the left foot on the hat throughout everything he played on the kit. Aaron also taught Dave intricate 4 way independence exercises which enhanced his techniques and discipline. With these new exercises, and philosophies, the challenge was on.

Next Dave joined the Briefcase Blues Band and gained more valuable road experience playing the Nevada Casino Circuit and many concerts and fairs across America. With their marketable Blues Brothers tribute, they opened for Otis Day & the Knights and backed up the 30 years of Rock and Roll tour though the southwest.