Dave Hooper

Drummer

Dave started as the voice of “The Little Green Sprout” from the Jolly Green Giant Commercials.

He used to go to work with his dad, who writes music for TV commercials. When his voice changed, and he realized he couldn’t sing, Dave decided he had to take up an instrument. Drums seemed like the right instrument to torment his parents with.

Dave attended North Texas State University for 2 years, and then realized college was for sissies. Not really. He studied with Peter Erskine, Gregg Bissonette, Steve Houghton, Joe Porcaro, David Garibaldi, Tom Brechtlein, and spent many hours jamming in his garage with roommate, Gary Novak.

Dave’s Dad couldn’t wait to use him as a drummer on his commercials, so at the age of 17, Dave began his studio drumming career.

Green Giant Commercial

Dave most recently played on the soundtrack for the Netflix series Jessica Jones and Showtime’s Homeland.

Some of his career’s highlights have been working with Toni Braxton, Larry Graham, Herbie Hancock, Sheryl Crow, David Sanborn, Marcus Miller, George Duke, Lee Ritenour, Diane Warren, Earl Klugh, Greg Phillengaines, Smokey Robinson, Griffith Frank, The Rippingtons, David Byrne, Warren Hill, Ray Parker Jr. Dave Koz, Sheila E, Joe Sample, The Manhattan Transfer, Chaka Kahn, and James Ingram.  Dave recently worked on Glee as a technical consultant.

Artists Dave has worked with:

Toni Braxton, Earl Klugh, George Duke, Larry Graham, Sheila E, Sheryl Crow, David Byrne, James Ingram, Eric Benet, Chaka Kahn, Lee Ritenour, Marcus Miller, David Sanborn, Herbie Hancock, Bobby Caldwell, Donny Osmond, Dave Koz, Jeffrey Osborne, Lee Sklaar, Maia Sharp, Michael Bolton, The Manhattan Transfer, Smokey Robinson, Greg Phillengaines, Paul Jackson Jr., Jody Watley, Don Grusin, Joe Sample, The Rippingtons,  Diane Warren, Due Voci, Arturo Sandoval, Griffith Frank,  Ray Parker Jr., Sherwood Ball, The Sax Pack, Shilts, Greg Adams, Donnie McClurkin, Kenny Lattimore, Gregg Allman, Peter White, Euge Groove,  Max Bennett, David Frank, Rob Mullins, Alex Acuna, Chieli Minucci, Dave Kochanski, Hollis Gentry, Bamboo Forest, Wilton Felder, Chuck Loeb, Brian Hughes, Jonathan Butler, Wayman Tisdale, Warren Weibe, Preston Smith, Phil Upchurch, Tim Landers, Brian Bromberg, Grant Geissman, Sam Glaser, Bill Watrous, Les Hooper, Dave Samuels, John Tesh, Jeff Kashiwa, Eric Marienthall, Craig Chaquico, Kirk Whalum, Jeff Golub, Allen Hinds, Doc Powell, Norman Brown, Rick Braun,  John Pattitucci,  Wallace Roney, Tom Scott,  Russell Ferante, Wayne Johnson, David Benoit, Dan Seigel, Warren Hill, Luis Conte, Marc Antoine, Alex Acuna…

TV spots:

Visa Hertz Coke Nissan Ford MCI Sears Delta Buick Sudafed Timex Honda Alaska Airlines Armor All Van De Kamp Ranier Beer Oldsmobile Ore Ida Lawry’s Mercedes AMEX Diet Pepsi Neon P.G.A. Coors Avia GTE F.H.P. Toyota Suzuki Qantas Texaco Lexus Budweiser Levis 501 Reebok Pac Bell Knudsen Miller Lite Trump Air Bally’s Yugo K.F.C. N.B.A. IBM TWA Chevy Gatorade 3 Muskateers Red Wolf Beer Aids Awareness Range Rover Hawaiian Punch Word Perfect Carl’s Jr. Chili’s Very Fine Peter Pan Kid Cuisine O’Doul’s