About Me
John "Lil John" Lumpkin is an up and coming drummer through the jazz and gospel scene. He obtains a Bachelors Degree in Jazz Studies from the University of North Florida under the direction of Danny Gottlieb and Charlotte Mabrey. He is now attending Florida State University under the leadership of Leon Anderson, Rodney Jordan, Bill Peterson, and Marcus Roberts. John grew up in the pentecostal church and still plans to exercise his gifts there as well as other national venues. However, he says "The chruch is the root of my zeal for music and forever shall be". His decision to become a professional musician came through an audition at Florida Community College of Jacksonvilles' South Campus. It was at this present time that band director Paul Weikle helped him to establish a future as a professional musician. Some of his key drummer influences are Jimmy Cobb, Art Taylor, Art Blakey, Tony Williams, Elvin Jones, Sonny Payne, Gene Krupa, Roy Haynes, Papa Jo Jones, Big Sid Catlett, Will Kennedy, Marcus Baylor, Willie Jones III, Jason Thomas, Terreon Gully, JoJo Mayer, Terri Lyne Carrington, Danny Gottlieb, John Riley, Charlotte Mabrey, Jeremy Haynes, Calvin Rodgers, LaDell Abrams, Marvin McQuitty, Cory Johnson, Calvin "Coon" Napper, Aaron Spears, Terry Bozzio, and jazz legend alto saxophonist Bunky Green. "Lil John's" style is driven by simplicity and repitition, somewhat of the attributes of the African drum. He says " I love the the atmosphere that a constant pulse creates. You can create anything musically with a strong root of rhythm and everyone within the the spirit of music can support the drive. My overall stlye depends on the subject at hand musically, but the root of pentecost will never change within my hands." Through the grace of God John has shared the stage with Slide Hampton, Delfeayo Marsalis, Wycliff Gordon, Arturo Sandoval, Curtis Fuller, Kim Burrell, Stephen Hurd, Leon Timbo, Lisa McClendon, Jon Reshard, Brenda Earle, and Sherrie Maricle. Through Florida Community College he has played with the IAJE Community College All-Star Big Band of 2005, Ingrid Jensen, and Terri Lyne Carrington. Through the Universtiy of North Florida Jazz Ensemble One he has also played with Ed Calle, Max Weinberg, Benny Green, Russell Malone, Diane Schurr, Bela' Fleck and the Flecktones, Christian McBride, and the YellowJackets. He has also worked with Rufus Reid, James Moody, Nathan Davis, and David Baker through the Ravinia Jazz Festival. His ultimate goal is to become the instrument that Jesus Christ would have him to be to the world.
