Artists - 2006 DFJ Celebration

John Blackwell Jr.
(special guest artist, emcee and clinician)

John Blackwell Jr., the sound, funk and fury behind Prince and the New Power Generation is a spectacle for the eyes and ears. Blackwell’s slamming tight grooves, popping snare and furiously flamboyant drumstick twirling and cross-arm strokes must be seen to be believed.

Blackwell, born in Columbia South Carolina, was raised in a very musical family. John’s father, John Sr., was a very well known professional drummer who performed with acts like The Drifters, The Spinners and Mary Wells. John Jr. got his first drumset at age 3 and was brought to many concerts that came through South Carolina by his father. While in high school, John was playing in the High School Jazz and Marching Band while performing every weekend with the R&B/Jazz/Fusion group, Robert Newton & Lotusfete as well as with Billy Eckstine.

In 1992 John chose to further pursue his drum studies by enrolling into Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. John kept himself extremely busy and created a strong buzz about him while performing as much as possible with many Jazz and R&B artists around Boston. John was also teaching students and performing drum clinics during his time away from college. John left Berklee in 1995 and landed the gig with legendary funk group Cameo who he played with for the next 3 years. In 1998 after his time with Cameo, John packed up and moved to Los Angeles, California. Blackwell was in LA for only 3 days when he landed the drum position for the legendary R&B Diva, Patti LaBelle. During this time John recorded for LaBelle’s Grammy Award winning CD, DVD and VHS, "Patti LaBelle-Live One Night Only".

Sean McCurley
(special guest artist, emcee and clinician)

Sean is a drummer of incredible versatility. As the driving force behind Kirk Whalum, Sean can wield an impressive array of funk, be-bop and R&B. He incorporates infectious grooves with mind blowing facility. His “chameleon like” skills keep him in a vast array of musical situations. “I love the challenge of playing with so many different kinds of musicians. It really keeps things interesting” In addition to Kirk, Sean has played or recorded with LeAnn Rymes, George Duke, Jonathan Butler, Dwight Sills, James Ingram, Everette Harp, Philippe Saisse, Jeff Golub, Rick Braun, Marc Antoine, Paula Abdul and Peter White. Check him out on Kirk Whalum’s Gospel According to Jazz ch.2 as well as the artist section of the Yamaha Drums web page.

Louis Santiago Jr.
(concert artist and clinician)

Twenty -nine year old drummer Louis Santiago Jr. has already had a remarkable musical career that is the stuff urban legends are made of.

Born in New York City in 1976, Lou did not purchase his first drum set until he was eighteen. After two years of eight to twelve hours of daily practice, he quit playing and joined the Navy - intent on earning tuition money to attend the Drummer's Collective in New York City. Five years later, during his last year of enlistment, Lou finally picked up his sticks again and, incredibly, after eight months of practicing, won the 2001 Guitar Center South East Regional Drum-Off, placing him 7th in the nation. Two years later, in 2003, he won the over 18 age division of Modern Drummer's "Undiscovered Drummer" contest and then toured with legendary trumpeter Maynard Ferguson and his Big Bop Nouveau Band. "Louis is without a doubt one of the most exciting new young drummers on the scene. He is dedicated to his craft and I look forward to watching the progress of his career!" says the venerable Ferguson.

Since then, Lou has gone on to work with some of the industry’s finest artists, such as afro-cuban/jazz bassist, John Benitez, top German session bassist, Martin Engelien, Del Sol (latin pop band, Curve Records), Drummers for Jesus, Lamar Boschman and the International Worship Institute, just to name a few.  Recently, Lou has joined forces with   Jeff Deyo, one of today’s prominent worship leader’s formerly of Grammy nominated Christian rock band Sonic Flood.  In addition, he has been very successful as a clinician, inspiring and influencing drummers of all ages in Europe and the US.

Highlighted in Modern Drummer Magazine, Lou says his goal is, "To become a better person and drummer than I was yesterday. I sincerely believe that music both inspires and speaks to people. I pray that my drumming does the same. This isn’t just a job or hobby for me. I understand fully that it is a ministry given to me from GOD the father to further his kingdom."

Bill Bachman
(concert artist and clinician)

Has studied percussion performance at the University of North Texas and is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music. He has played quads in the University of North Texas' indoor drumline, and in the Cadets of Bergen County Drum and Bugle Corps. Bill's awards include Drum Corps International's 1st place percussion with the Cadets at the world finals in 1994, Drum Corps International's over all runner-up in 1994 and 1995, the Percussive Arts Society's 1994 tenor individual competition runner-up, and 1st place at the Percussive Arts Society's 1996 Indoor Drumline Competition with the University of North Texas. Bill has nstructed with many award winning groups including the Bluecoats, Blue Knights, and Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps. He's the author of Row-Loff's Quad Logic, Rudimental Logic, and Bass Logic, designer of Vic Firth's Heavy Hitter pad series, and is an endorser of Dynasty drums, Remo drumheads, Vic Firth sticks and mallets, and NDCtech.com. He's an active clinician and still loves to drum!

Terl Bryant
(clinician)

Terl is a respected and experienced English musician with pastor's heart. He is gifted at encouraging people in matters of faith and is an insightful teacher and minister. Terl is credited on more than 150 albums with artists including John Paul Jones, Faith Hill, Iona, Matt Redman, Lesley Garrett, Paul Wilbur, Paul Baloche and many more. He is not only in demand as a drummer in the main stream but regularly teaches and ministers to churches, music teams, and at events across Europe and in the States.

He is founder and visionary for the drumming network Psalm Drummers (founded in 1994) and he has gathered drummers for numerous events including St. Paul's Cathedral (for the Archbishop of Canturbury), Soul Survivor UK, One Day USA, The Call UK, Greenbelt UK and others. He is currently gathering drummers in support of 'Calling all Nations' an international worship event at Berlin arena July 2006. Terl is married to Juliet; they have four children and live in Sussex, England.

Marvin McQuitty
(clinician)

To characterize, Marvins' playing can be summarized in three words: power, accuracy and dedication. Whether he's in the drivers seat of a high powered funk groove or laying back on a moving rock style ballad, Marvins' playing is supernatural, yielding incredible control, uncanny finesse and sensitivity. His skill & abilities are a direct result of his discipline, spiritual inspiration & attention to detail. In a word, he is a force. Marvin has set new standards, in Gospel music as well as the progressive genre of Urban Praise & Worship music. Highlights of his contributions to both genres can be heard and seen on; Pages of Life, Vol. I & II, FredHammand & RFC (Platinum CD sales, Grammy nominated). Purpose By Design, Fred Hammond & RFC (Gold CD sales, Grammy nominated) Prince of Egypt Gospel Soundtrack (Gold CD sales, Grammy nominated) InCase YouMissedlt ...& then Some, Fred Hammond & Various Artists (Grammy nominated) Mountain High, Valley Low, Yolanda Adams (Platinum CD sales, 2000 Grammy-winner) Alabaster Box, CeCe Winans (Gold CD sales, Grammy nominated).

Russ Miller
(clinician)

One of the top touring and session drummers in the world. His musical versatility has led him to work with an incredible list of international artists that includes Ricki Lee Jones, Montell Jordan, Tom Scott, Jim Brickman, Nelly, Slash, The Bee Gees, Ray Charles, The Fifth Dimesion, Taste of Honey, and many more. Russ is a strong force on the Los Angeles studio scene. He has performed on more than 100 albums and dozens of international movies, such as “Daylight,” “The Specialist,” and “Lethal Weapon 4,” just to name a few. Along with his many album credits, he has two solo albums, “Where’s One?” and “Cymbalism” on R.M.I. Records. Also known for his educating abilities, Russ performs clinics all over the world and has authored three books: “The Drum Set Crash Course,” “The Commandments of R&B Drumming,” and “Transitions,” along with his video, “The Drum Set Crash Course,” all of which are award winning and critically acclaimed works.

Russ has been a Yamaha artist for over a decade and has four signature Yamaha products: the Russ Miller Groove and Jingle Wedges as well as the Cascara and Jingle Cascara Wedges. Russ has been featured in magazines all over the world and is internationally recognized as one of the most prominent contemporary drum artists.

Keith Banks
(clinician)

Keith is a professional worship musician and anointed worship teacher. He has 20 years of drumming experience, and has worked in musical productions with television networks as well as radio. Keith also has musical experience in various styles such as Jazz, Blues, Latin, Pop, Rock, Funk, R&B, Gospel, and Christian Praise & Worship. Keith is a current drum instructor as well as a graduate at Christ For The Nation Institute and has a Bachelor in Business Management from Dallas Baptist University in Dallas Texas. Keith has been apart of many different musical venues such as jazz festivals, drum workshops, DVD recordings, and live concerts. Keith has played with such artist as Joseph Vincelli, Arlington Jones, Tom Braxton, Martha Burks, Marco Barrientos, Klaus Kluen and many other artists. Keith is a full-time musician and is committed to innovating people with his talent and worship teachings.

Christopher Coleman
(concert artist and masterclass)

Chris has been playing drums since the ripe old age of 2, sitting on his Uncle's knee in church. He traveled with his father and uncles who performed together in a gospel ensemble. In his youth he practiced relentlessly with the aim of making it big as a drummer. In Junior high school he earned numerous awards in band competitions, including 1st place for instrumental soloist three years running. He also took top honors in his hometown "Music Appreciation Awards" at the age of 14, and began traveling throughout the country with several gospel groups (including Marvin Winans, Edwin Hawkins, Vanessa Bell Armstrong) and performing with three variety/show bands.

In 1999, Chris graduated with honors from the Drummer's Collective. He was offered a scholarship to Berklee School of Music, was accepted into Manhattan School of Music, and received a recommendation from Ed Soph to attend North Texas State. He opted instead to return to his home town of Saginaw, Michigan to start full-time ministry and the CRC Drum and Bass Institute. He moved briefly to Cleveland to join the instructional staff at Christian Music Academy.

December 8, 2001, Chris was honored to win 1st place in the National Drum Competition sponsored by Guitar Center, which hosted 30,000 drummers. He then came to Atlanta to study Bass at AIM, where he was pleased to accept a position teaching drums.

In addition to his teaching, Chris keeps a busy schedule touring. He has toured with Pastor Creflo A. Dollar Ministries throughout the world since June 2002, and has traveled to over 40 cities in 3 countries with praise and worship band Israel and New Breed, since September 2003. Ever on the move, Israel and New Breed has a 12 country tour planned for 2005, and has had a #1 Billboard hit with "Again I Say Rejoice." The DVD from that recording will be available at the beginning of 2005.

Chris has participated in recording 4 major gospel recordings this year, including Bishop Eddie Long, William Murphy Ministries and others. He plans to record with his band, ATW Ministries in the very near future.

Jeffrey Jones
(clinician)

Jeffrey is the director of the Oklahoma chapter of Drummers for Jesus.  He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah Oklahoma, he teaches over 70 students a week, and he has performed with Joe Lovano, Bobby Shew, Bob Mintzer, Slide Hampton, and several other artists.  He has also written two books, Groovology: The Study of Double Bass Drum Grooves and Groovology: The Study of Basic Drum Set Grooves, and he has a DVD, Praise and Worship Drumming: An Inspirational Approach to Drumming, that will be released very soon.

Andrew Lloyd
(concert artist)

Andrew's beginnings with music were practiced through an Ethnomusicologist's method, learning Ethnic musical stylings and instrumentation through a wide variety of world cultures. This lead him to the discovery and love of many intriguing instruments including the steelpan. The steelpan has become one of his most proficient and widely enjoyed instruments due to its versatility allowing an artist uninhibited freedom from the preconceived notion of style or genre.

Over the span of 10 years Andrew has been fortunate enough to learn from and perform with top steelpanist's from Trinidad and around the world. During this same time he has been touring jazz festivals, achieving high placement in professional competitions and serving as a steeldrum clinician throughout many parts of North America and Europe with groundbreaking bands and ensembles, thus granting him a deeper respect and understanding of the steelpans history and future.

Andrew's time is mostly focused on his recording studio in Los Angeles where he lives and performs, building a career as a composer for film, television and multi media.

"JT" Jason Thomas
(clinician)

Jason “JT” Thomas began playing at age 3 and shortly thereafter began playing at Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas by age 7.  Weatherford, Texas is where he grew up, went to school, and also began studying music.  In a talent show at Sam Houston Elementary School, JT caught the attention of the Weatherford High School percussion teacher who was also the jazz band director.  Because he made such a strong impression, the director invited him to come out and rehearse and on occasion perform with them.  At age 16, he began playing with local gospel groups around town and soon after with local Top 40 groups in and out of town.  The exposure of playing around town gave him the opportunity to travel internationally--performing all over Asia, and Indonesia for the Grand Hyatt Hotels, and famed jazz club, Jamz, where jazz greats such as Chick Corea, Bob James, and many more had performed. 

In between touring, JT keeps a busy schedule of playing at church, with different Top 40 bands, jazz trios, and session work.  In this day and age being extremely versatile is a requirement and one of the main attributes that keeps JT’s phone ringing and calendar filled!

Johnny Rabb
(clinician)

Johnny has performed with a range of artists including SheDaisy, Hank Williams III, Mindy McReady, and Maynard Ferguson. He continues to perform with his original band Super Action Heroes and country legend Tanya Tucker. Johnny is an active clinician, performing master-classes and workshops worldwide. His Warner Bros. Publications release Jungle/Drum ‘n’ Bass for the Acoustic Drumset was voted the #1 instructional book in Modern Drummer Magazine’s 2003 Reader’s Poll.

Johnny proudly performs with DW Drums and Hardware, MEINL Cymbals and Percussion, PRO-MARK Drumsticks, REMO Drumheads, AUDIX Microphones and Roland Electronic Percussion.

Allen Joanis
(concert artist)

Studied percussion at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA, Radford University in Radford, VA (BMME 2001) and the University of North Texas in Denton, TX. Allen studied and taught with numerous influential percussionists such as Mark Thurston, Tom Aungst, Paul Rennick, Neil Larrivee, Bill Bachman, Jeff Queen, Teddy Holcomb, Robert Schietroma and many others. He performed as a member of the 1993 Cadets of Bergen County Drum and Bugle Corps from Bergenfield, NJ (1993 DCI World Champions) and the 1995 Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps from Newark, DE. He also performed as a member of the 1998 University of North Texas Indoor Drumline (1998 PASIC Indoor Drumline Champions). Allen finished as the first runner-up in the 1998 PASIC College Snare Drum Championships. He served as visual caption head and percussion instructor for the 1998 Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps from Canton, OH and percussion caption head for the 1999 Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps. He served on the percussion staff for the 2000, 2001, and 2003 Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps from Fort Mill, SC. Allen ?s scholastic instructional and design resume includes such groups as Dobyns-Bennett High School from Kingsport, TN (2000 WGI Scholastic World Finalist) and Ronald Reagan High School from San Antonio, TX (2003 BOA Grand National Finalist and 2004 WGI Scholastic Open Finalist).

Allen is currently the visual designer for Marcus High School, the reigning and 9 time PASIC High School Drumline Champion. Allen is currently the owner of the Joanis Creative Group in San Antonio, TX. Allen is an endorser of Dynasty USA and Vic Firth sticks and mallets.

Derek Winkley
(concert artist)

13-year-old Derek Winkley from Dallas, TX has been playing drums since he was 3 years old. The quiet, shy teenager fades away whenever he starts to play - his drumming prowess is WAY beyond his years. When you see it, you will believe it ... a truly gifted young man.