Everyday LaMar Merchant wakes up, he thanks God for his heartbeat. Since, the life-blood flowing through his veins is expressed through his passion on the kit. Flowing out of this phenomenal drummer is a world of musicality. LaMar is a tasteful, funky and extremely versatile drummer, who can play in or out of the pocket. Whether he is playing Gospel, Straight Ahead Jazz, Fusion, Funk, Rock, Hip Hop, R&B or Afro-Cuban, LaMar takes you on a journey. His own personal journey and discovery of drums and percussion began long before he was even able to form words. LaMar first discovered beats when he was about 3 years old. As a child he would pull pots out of his mother's kitchen cabinet and just bang away. He took a serious interest in drums at age 10. It wasn't long before he was playing for his church in his hometown of Chicago, Illinois. It was there he began to grow musically. LaMar Merchant participated in Concert, Marching and Jazz Band all throughout high school. After high school, he flourished at Chicago State under the direction of Dean of Music Mark Smith, Y.L. Douglas and Khari Parker, who played with Destiny's Child and Raphael Saadiq. He obtained his non-traditional education from drummers he admired…soaking up and studying musical textures and colors from Will Kennedy, Dennis Chambers, Tony Royster, Jr., Dave Weckl, Marcus Baylor, Brian Blade, Adonis Rose, Rex, Gerald Heyward, Teddy Campbell, Gorden Cambell, Steve Smith and John Blackwell. Suffering the loss at the Guitar Center Drum Off in Chicago in 1994 forced LaMar to go back and concentrate on rudiments. But, his setback only made him stronger. LaMar honed his skills and began to live out his motto "be a musician first and a drummer 2nd". This dynamic musician has played for a wide range of artist. He's opened for Yo-Yo Ma, backed the legendary Lil Greenwood, who performed with Duke Ellington, Marcel Evans of The Drifters and Jeff Kashiwa of the Rippingtons. Currently, LaMar resides in Orange County, CA where he performs with his band OneWay and church, Heritage Family Fellowship. Besides being a dedicated, first call drummer, LaMar is a dedicated father, husband and friend. With every beat of the drum, LaMar gives his heart and soul…to his musical family, his real family and his fans.
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