Born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Clif Wallace began serious studies in Jazz at North Carolina Central University where he received both a Bachelor of Arts in Music and a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance.
In College, Clif gained broad experience in playing in many different musical settings playing with any one from blues guitarist Roy Roberts to Jazz Great Branford Marsalis. Ultimately earning the drum seat in the African American Jazz Caucus’s Historically Black College and University (HBCU) All-Star Big Band for three years. With the HBCU Band, he had the opportunity to perform with Jimmy Heath, Joe Chambers, Gerald Wilson, and Jimmy Cobb.
Just after college, he joined the judging panel for the 2008 Notre Dame Collegiate Jazz Festival along the likes of Marvin Stamm, Gene Bertoncini, Jim McNeely, Larry Ridley, and Jamey Aabersold.
In 2009, Clif Wallace took the opportunity to participate in Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead artist Residency Program in Washington, DC, as well as the Ravinia/Steans Institute Artist Residency Program led by Dr. David Baker, James Moody, Dr. Nathan Davis, and Rufus Reid in Chicago, Illinois. He was also chosen to be the drummer for the Chicago Jazz Institute’s annual Young Lions performance in 2010.
Recently, Clif Wallace has heard and seen playing with Saxophone and Clarinetist Victor Goines, and Vocalist Tammy McCann. As well as a host of other great artists such as Bobby Broom, Pharez Whitted, The Chicago Jazz Orchestra, Rodney Whitaker, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Diego Rivera, Robert Irving, III, Marquis Hill, Dan Trudell, John Brown and Orbert Davis. More notably, Clif also leads his own Quintet and other groups as a band leader and producer. Residing in Chicago, Illinois, Clif has become one of the city’s most in demand drummers for a many music platforms.