DJ

DJ picked up his first pair of drumsticks in the early 1980’s. He began his career as a child drummer at the early age of five while attending Walker Elementary School in Evanston, IL.DJ came into prominence by the mid 1990’s as a member of the Akron Firestone High School Band in Ohio. He learned and played all styles of music including Blues, Gospel, Pop, Swing, Fusion, Latin, Big Band, Funk and Jazz. He divided his time between Jazz Band, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Marching Band, Private Lessons and other various projects.DJ has played with several well-known Jazz leaders at various Jazz Festivals and Jazz Competitions throughout the state of Ohio. As a point to be recognized, DJ was the 1995 winner of the prestigious Louie Armstrong Jazz Musicianship Award and was awarded a full scholarship to Berkley College of Music in Boston, MA. Upon high school graduation, DJ joined Hampton University’s Marching Band on a scholarship as their first chair Quint-Tom player with the Marching Force. He toured with the band for the duration of his college tenure before retiring his marching boots to dedicate himself to finding his voice on the drum set.He spent over twenty years of his life studying and playing with the best musicians in Illinois, Ohio, Virginia, Washington DC, Philadelphia, New Jersey, New York and Texas. He spent fifteen of those years teaching private lessons on his own. He expanded his diversity of musicality by exploring the worlds of Hand Percussion and gained an overall understanding and ear for Rock, Funk, Gospel, Hip-Hop, Pop, R&B, Jazz and Fusion.DJ played on several music tracks at the Cymatic’s Sound Studio’s in New Brunswick, New Jersey where he applied a Swing feel to Funk, Hip-Hop, R&B and Rock grooves. The extremely meticulous nature of DJ has helped him to become known as a very consistent, professional studio artist. While collaborating with musicians from all genres, DJ assisted in the completion of over twenty demos and twenty-five singles.DJ has also pioneered several New York City based musical projects including the bands XONE and SIRENUSAE. He played several venues throughout the Tri-State area from 2002 to 2004. He toured with David Brass, a singer/songwriter signed to Village Records as a member of the band, THE VAULT.DJ relocated to Dallas, Texas from NYC in June 2004 and shortly after, joined the band TOBA. Toba played several venues throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolis during the Spring and Summer of 2005. DJ also played with several Dallas local bands since the Summer of 2005 before relocating to Austin, Texas in the Summer of 2006.DJ currently plays with the Austin based Rock/Hip-Hop/Mash-Up project, I NEED MORE COWBELL and the Austin based Funk/Fusion/Rock project SHAVANNA ROOTS. DJ also co-founded the original Dallas based Rock/Funk/Jazz/Fusion/Jam Band project, COALITION. DJ’s musical diversity is limitless, and he continues to further stretch the boundaries of his own musical ability.DJ has ultimately dedicated the past twenty plus years of his life to his craft, which has earned him the undeniable respect of his fellow musicians. He has amazingly found a true way of speaking to the souls of his audience through his music. His widely diverse background enables his music to channel his positive message to a broad spectrum of audiences. His dedication to the purity of the craft can be heard on every track that he has ever created.DJ possesses an extremely professional side to his demeanor, which has earned him the title Leadership Associate as well as the title Statistics Manager, with such companies as Merrill Lynch and T-Mobile. DJ is also an active member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated.DJ’s aggressively hard hitting, yet tasty grooves have led to an original sound, which has become the foundation of his drum playing. Excitement and power combined with a keen ear and a smooth yet creative sound. These fundamentals have elevated DJ into a well-rounded, up and coming professional drummer..............DJS MUSIC RESUME................... HIGH SCHOOLCOLLEGIATEPROFESSIONAL • 2001 to 2004 - Studio Drummer for “Cymatic’s Sound Studios” - New Brunswick, New Jersey {Worked on various R&B, Hip Hop, Funk and Rock Projects}. • 2002 to 2003 - Member of “XONE” – a Metal/Screamo Band out of NYC. • 2002 to 2003 - Member of “THE VAULT” – an Alternative/Rock Band out of NYC {Led by David Brass, signed by Village Records – New York, NY.}. • 2003 to 2004 - Member of “SIRENUSAE” – a Funk/Rock/Alternative Band out of NYC. • 2004 to 2005 - Member of “TOBA” – a Hard Rock/Alternative/Progressive Band out of Dallas, TX. • 2005 - Member of “THE MAJESTICS” – an Funk/R&B/Soul Band out of Dallas, TX. • 2005 to 2006 – Member of “MARKET ZERO” – a Rock/Experimental/Jam Band out of Dallas, TX. • 2006 – Member of “LOTUS” - a Alternative/Rock/Pop Band out of Dallas, TX. • 2006 – North Dallas “1st Round Guitar Center National Drum-Off Competition” – Winner. • 2005 to 2007 – Member of “CASA NOVA LIVE BAND” - a Funk/R&B/Soul Band out of Dallas, TX. • 2006 to 2007 – Member of “SPIN ALLEY” - a Rock/HipHop/Screamo Band out of Austin, TX. • 2008 – Member of “CLUB 311 BLUES JAM HOUSE BAND DRUMMER” – an Open Blues Jam Session out of Austin, TX. • 2007 to Present – Member of “SAVANNA ROOTS” - a Funk/Rock/Fusion/Jam Band out of Austin, TX. • 2007 to Present – Member of “I NEED MORE COWBELL” - a Hip-Hop/Mashup/Cover/Tribute Band out of Austin, TX. • 2005 to Present – Co-Founder and Member of “COALITION” – a Rock/Funk/Fusion/Jam Band out of Dallas, TX. • Private Lessons Instructor from 1991 to Present.......................Coalition at Curtain Club 5-11-07

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