By the time he finished college, Chancler had already performed with jazz artists such as the Gerald Wilson Big Band, Herbie Hancock,[2] and recorded with Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, and Bobby Hutcherson.

He recorded frequently as a sideman in jazz, blues, and pop music, including the instantly recognizable drums on Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean".

[5] Other musicians with whom Chancler worked during his career included George Benson, Stanley Clarke, the Crusaders, George Duke, John Lee Hooker, Hubert Laws, Thelonious Monk, Jean-Luc Ponty, Lionel Richie, Kenny Rogers, Patrice Rushen, Santana, Frank Sinatra, Donna Summer, the Temptations, Tina Turner, and Weather Report.

[10] Ndugu grew up active in his church and was mentored and influenced by many strong men that helped shape his life after the absence of his father at age 13.

With David Axelrod With George Benson With Bloodstone With Dee Dee Bridgewater With Oscar Brown With Peabo Bryson With Keni Burke With Jean Carn With Tia Carrere With Miles Davis With DeBarge With George Duke With Sheena Easton With The Emotions With Herbie Hancock With Eddie Harris With Hampton Hawes With Tramaine Hawkins With Joe Henderson With Jennifer Holliday With John Lee Hooker With James Ingram With Michael Jackson With Gladys Knight & the Pips With Patti LaBelle With Labelle With Harold Land With Azar Lawrence With Cheryl Lynn With Wendy Matthews With Letta Mbulu With The O'Jays With Greg Phillinganes With Jean-Luc Ponty With Julian Priester With Lionel Richie With LeAnn Rimes With Minnie Riperton With Robbie Robertson With Kenny Rogers With Patrice Rushen With Santana With Lalo Schifrin With Frank Sinatra With The Spinners With Donna Summer With The Temptations With Tina Turner With Weather Report With The Whispers With Stevie Woods With Syreeta Wright