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Current Interview
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Friends Login
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ARTISTS - 2008 DFJ CELEBRATION
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Go to 2004 Artists
Go to 2005 Artists
Go to 2006 Artists
Go to 2007 Artists
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FIND ALL ARTISTS PICTURES ON THE "ABOUT US" PAGE UNDER "PHOTO ALBUMS" -- THE 2008 EVENT WAS CANCELLED BY THE HOST CHURCH
2008 ARTISTS :LUIS CONTE, CHRIS JOHNSON, NATHANIEL TOWNSLEY, CALVIN RODGERS, LOU SANTIAGO, SEAN McCURLEY, BILL BACHMAN, NOEL ALVAREZ, TODD WILSON, HILARIO BELL, JEFFREY JONES and introducing TITO PASCOAL.
* DRUMMERS FOR JESUS IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY CHANGES TO THE ARTIST LINEUP DUE TO SCHEDULING CHANGES BY THE ARTIST OR EMERGENCIES, ETC..*
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BILL BACHMAN
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BILL BACHMAN
(Artist/Clinician)
Bill Bachman is and has been one of the top drum corps artist, innovators and educators in the world. He 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 instructed with many award winning groups including the Bluecoats, Blue Knights, and Carolina Crown in his 12 years touring with Drum and Bugle Corps.
Bill is the author of the books Quad Logic, Rudimental Logic, and Bass Logic, and producer of the instructional drum DVD, Reefed Beats — all of which are available from RowLoff Publications. Recently, Bill completed a new instructional DVD entitled Rudimental Beats, designed to take ALL drummers to the highest level.
Bill Bachman is the designer of Vic Firth's HEAVY HITTER pads.
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Calvin Rodgers
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Calvin Rodgers
(Artist/Clinician)
Calvin was playing on a professional level by age 8.He began studying jazz and world music, in high school. In his junior year, he entered the Jazz Mentors program, headed by jazz pioneer and Chicago native Ramsey Lewis. Ramsey and the other mentors took a huge liking to Calvin immediately. He began playing with Ramsey on the side. In 2000, while recording a radio commercial at Chicago Recording Company studio, he met R. Kelly. Kelly sent his music director over to recruit Calvin for their upcoming tour. Calvin toured the U.S. and Europe for a year and a half with Kelly. After taking a short break, Calvin decided to focus more on recording, which had quickly become a very strong passion. He went to work for various producers and artist such as Donald Lawrence, Tommie Simms and Sanchez Harley. Working with these producers placed Calvin on many GRAMMY, Stellar and Dove Award nominated and winning projects. In 2004, Calvin accepted a position with gospel heavyweight Fred Hammond. Calvin toured with Hammond for a year. And after several administrative changes, was promoted to musical director. This was a challenge Calvin welcomed, and gladly accepted. With Calvin as his music director, Fred Hammond produced his first Grammy Award winning album, Free To Worship. Calvin lead the band on several tracks and also lent his hand in arranging the smash single, This Is The Day. While Hammond continues to be Calvin's main priority, he still enjoys working with many different artist and producers, as a sideman. But has now also found himself in the producers chair. His first project as a producer earned Mark Hubbard & U.V.F.C. their first Gospel Stellar Award, for Traditional Album of the Year. Calvin has gone on to produce for many artist, including Vashawn Mitchell and Isaiah Thomas. Calvin is now in the midst of recording his first solo album, which is due out by the end of 2008.
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Chris Johnson
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Chris Johnson
(Artist, clinician)
Chris Johnson is a church born, grown, and breed boy playing drums, that got a break and capitalized on it with God's help. Since trusting God with his gift he has played with Seal, Mya, Heather Headley, Patti LaBelle, Rihanna, Anastacia, Fantasia, Donnie McClurkin, Dorinda Clark-Cole, Beverly Crawford, Norman Hutchins, Stevie Wonder and currently on tour with Maze fea. Frankie Beverly. He can also be seen at his home church City of Refuge in Gardena, CA. Chris can be heard on the following albums: Dorinda Clark-Cole, I'm Out And Over 2004...... Norman Hutchins, Where I Love to Be 2004...... Norman Hutchins, Emmanuel 2003....... Steven Newby, We Have A Home 2007...... Judith McAllister, Raise the Praise (Raise the Praise, & Beautiful Day) 2003...... Beverly Crawford, Live from Los Angeles 2007...... Chrisette Michele, I Am (Best of Me & Your Joy) 2007...... Joann Rosario, Grateful 2004...... City of Refuge, Harvest Time 2007...... TC Bereal, Valley Of Worship 2007...... The Gospel Wonders 2005
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Jeffrey Jones
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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.
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Louis Santiago Jr.
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Louis Santiago Jr.
(concert artist and clinician)
Thirty one 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."
After playing for little more than 4 years, Lou's prodigious talents have earned him endorsements from Sonor Drums, Meinl Cymbals and Percussion, Evans Drumheads, Vic Firth Drumsticks, and Shure Microphones.
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Luis Conte
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Luis Conte
(Artist/Clinician)
Grammy-winner Luis Conte is an acknowledged master of percussion. His celebrated career includes touring and/or recording work with some of the greatest names in contemporary music, including Madonna, Eric Clapton, Phil Collins, Santana (Supernatural album), Jackson Browne, Celine Dion, Barbara Streisand, Ray Charles, Tony Bennett, James Taylor, Shakira, Ozzy Osborne, Queen Latifah and Cuban legends Arturo Sandoval and Cachao. He can also be heard on the scores and/or soundtracks to such box office smashes as the new Miami Vice, The Lost City with Andy Garcia, Mission Impossible, Rain Man, Waiting To Exhale, Coming To America, Drumline, Out of Time, The Italian Job, Oceans 12, Sideways, Disney’s animated Tarzan, Brother Bear and countless others.
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Nathaniel Townsley
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Nathaniel Townsley
(concert artist and clinician)
Nathaniel has performed with the likes of Joe Zawinul, Corey Clover, Maria Carey, Will Downing, Manolo Badrena, Sabine Kabongo, Amit Chatterjee, Linley Marthe, Jermaine Hawkins, Stevie Wonder, Special EFX, Richard Bona, Michal Urbaniak, Jim Prayor, Chulo Gatewood, The Chieftains and Dez
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Noel Alvarez
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Noel Alvarez
(Artist, clinician)
Noel Alvarez, a clinician, educator and performer from the Central Florida area, has been involved with percussion since the age of eleven. He has been involved with the drum & bugle corps activity since 2002. During his six year drum & bugle corps career Noel was a member of the Kiwanis Kavaliers, Boston Crusaders, Phantom Regiment and Concord Blue Devils. During his time with these drum & bugle corps Alvarez performed all across the United States as well as Canada and Japan. Noel has had the honor of studying with notable educators such as Scott Johnson, Paul Rennick, Rich Viano, Lee Hansen, Ben Maughmer, Omar Carmenates and Nick Werth. Noel also captured many awards during his drum & bugle corps career as a marching member which include the 2007 Drum Corps International World Championship, 2006 Drum Corps International World Championships Silver Medalist, 2006-2007 Drum Corps International Fred Sanford High Percussion award and was most recently the 2007 Drum Corps International Individual & Ensemble Snare Drum Champion. Noel is a proud endorser of Dynasty USA.
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Sean McCurley
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Sean McCurley
(Artist/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.
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Tito Pascoal
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Tito Pascoal
(Young Featured Artist)
Every year Drummers for Jesus likes to feature a young and upcoming drummer. This year that drummer is Tito Pascoal. Tito Pascoal was born in Portugal April 28 1994. Tito's received his first drum set at age six.
Proficient in numerous styles, Tito loves to play jazz, fusion and funk. He excels at them along with R&B, Latin and rock. Tito began public performances at the young age of seven (7) years old, and can be seen on home video playing his drum set at the age six (6). Tito is the house drummer for Dream Center-St Louis that is part of Joyce Meyer Ministries.
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Todd Wilson
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Todd Wilson
(Clinician)
Todd's sound is an amalgam of gospel, R&B, Funk, Latin, and Jazz. Across more than a decade as a professional drummer, Todd has played for such renowned gospel artists as Donnie McClurkin, Ronald Winans, Ron Kenoly, Gary Oliver, and Bobby Jones Gospel. Today, he is the drummer for the FaithWorld band and Pastor Clint Brown. He has performed and written for Clint Brown's 'In His Presence 3' album, performed on Rod Parsley's World Harvest project, co-produced 'Young Tribe' for Tribe Music Group, and performed and co-produced for LaRue Steward's debut album 'Free'. In addition, Todd has played for a host of other artists such as Martha Munizzi.
Todd Wilson's love for percussion began in the church, where he learned from other contemporary gospel drummers. He took his gift and built a career in music at Florida Memorial College in Miami, FL. The diverse influences of his Miami home mark his distinct style. His sound is an amalgam of gospel, R&B, funk, latin and jazz.
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