Chad Wesselkamper, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, is a graduate of Rice University where he studied double bass performance at the Shepherd School of Music under the tutelage of Timothy Pitts and Paul Ellison. After playing piano since the age of three, Chad began to study the double bass in high school. He has played with orchestras such as the National Youth Orchestra of the U.S.A., The Aspen Festival Orchestra, The New World Symphony, the Conservatorium van Amsterdam Philharmonic, The Shepherd School Symphony Orchestra, and many more. Chad performed at Carnegie hall three times before the age of 19, and he has toured the world performing in countries such as South Korea, Japan, Prague, the Netherlands, France, Denmark, England, and more. Chad has also performed with acclaimed artists such as the Eagles, Jens Lindemann, Jackie Parker, Aloysia Friedmann, Phylissia Ross, Vincent Powell, T. NAVA (Free Nationals), Mary Griffin, Donald Harrison, Gil Shaham, Dennis Matsuev, and Valery Gergiev. Chad has learned from jazz greats such as Benny Golson, Antonio Sanchez, Carl Allen, Rodney Whitaker, Erwin Stuckey, Michael Dease, Rufus Reid, and more. His dedication to the music was awarded with a position in the Cincinnati Jazz Hall of Fame.

Chad leads multiple bands throughout Houston, and plays with artists all over the city and state of Texas. He is the leader of the Chad Wesselkamper Quintet and the Houston Ensemble. He also performs with the Vanguard Collective every week at some of Houston’s best venues. These groups perform jazz and jazz-inspired music which is sought after throughout the city.  

When he is not performing, you can find Chad creating visual art, podcasting, cooking, and exploring nature.