Jharis Yokley

Jharis Yokley's versatility as an acrobatic drummer across jazz, R&B, hip-hop, folk, and rock is demonstrated through his work with artists like DJ Premier, Ani DiFranco, Solange, Chance the Rapper, and José James. Closely affiliated with James since 2020, Yokley toured extensively with the singer and played on the studio albums On & On and 1978 before he made his 2024 solo debut with Sometimes, Late at Night. Released on James' Rainbow Blonde label, the unique breakup album revealed Yokley to be a heartfelt singer/songwriter while showcasing his virtuosic command of the drums. The St. Louis native first played drums in church at the age of three and started playing in school programs in sixth grade. In high school, he was in the concert, jazz, and marching bands, leading him to Berklee College of Music, where he studied under Terri Lyne Carrington and Danilo Pérez. After he graduated from Berklee, Yokley moved to New York and made a name for himself working with assorted artists, and in 2020 he found a role in José James' band in touring and recording capacities. The double set New York 2020 (Live) was James' first recording to feature Yokley, who continued with James on 2023's On & On and 2024's 1978. Mere weeks after the release of 1978, Yokley offered his first full-length, Sometimes, Late at Night. James released the album, and also executive-produced and appeared on it, but the music was primarily the work of Yokley and another member of James' band, keyboardist and co-composer BIGYUKI.
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