Colleen Clark

Dr. Colleen Clark is a drummer, composer, and educator active across New York City and the southeastern United States. A vibrant voice in modern jazz, she has performed with the 8G Band on NBC’s Late Night with Seth Meyers and appears on numerous acclaimed recordings, including her co-led project ALLIANCE and releases with Michael Dease and Allegra Levy. Her Mexican jazz ensemble, CC + The Adelitas, is set to record its debut album in 2026.Clark has shared the stage with leading artists including Branford Marsalis, Rodney Whitaker, Catherine Russell, Camille Thurman, Rudresh Mahanthappa, and Nicole Zuraitis, and has performed at renowned venues and festivals such as Jazz at Lincoln Center, Birdland, Smalls, Umbria Jazz Festival, and Vienne Jazz Festival. She is also an ASCAP award-winning composer.

A dedicated educator and scholar, Clark is the Founder and Artistic Director of Jazz Girls Day® at the University of South Carolina. Her doctoral dissertation, The Evolution of the Ride Cymbal Pattern from 1917 to 1941, has become an influential resource worldwide and was later featured in collaboration with Zildjian, including video and written content. She has presented her research for the Percussive Arts Society and the Jazz Education Network, serves as Drumset Editor for Percussive Notes, and sits on the PAS Drumset Committee.

Dr. Clark is the only woman and drummer to earn a doctoral degree in jazz from the University of North Texas and proudly represents Ludwig Drums.