SEEKING
Band to Join, Vocalist, Lead Guitar, Bass Guitar, Other Percussion, Trumpet, Saxophone, Keyboard, Piano, Trombone, Upright bass, DJ, Electronic Music.ABOUT
I was a jazz performance student at Shenandoah University, now looking for people to play with that will expand my musical boundaries and capabilities. I am a pretty easygoing and open-minded guy, however I do prefer a professional attitude when it comes to playing. I'm all about making music happen!
- Screen name:
- Jvanleeuwendrums
- Member since:
- Mar 09 2014
- Active within 1 month
- Level of commitment:
- Very Committed
- Years playing music:
- 10
- Gigs played:
- 10 to 50
- Tend to practice:
- More than 3 times per week
- Available to gig:
- 2-3 nights a week
- Most available:
- Nights
Influences
My drumming tends to gravitate towards traditional jazz playing from the 60's on. I dig drummers like Tony Williams, Elvin Jones, Mitch Mitchell, and also modern cats like Kendrick Scott and Justin Brown. I like to play on the "outside" of a groove, accenting it and changing it to keep the beat lively for the performers I work with. I can provide a lot of energy, but I also work very well with more introspective music, ballads and the like.
In my writing, my biggest influences are John Coltrane, Joe Henderson, and Oliver Nelson. I like writing very colorful chords and lots of so-called "non-functional" harmonies. One of my goals as a writer is to expand the rhythmic and harmonic vocabulary of pop music while still staying true to my own sound. In that vein, I really enjoy Robert Glasper, Amy Winehouse, and Gretchen Parlato. I really dig the modern jazz scene and I'm also a big fan of electronic music such as FlyLo and Thundercat. I like rap music, especially Kendrick Lamar and Odd Future, and would definitely be interested in working on an ambitious rap/hip-hop project.
Instrument experience:
- Drums:
- Expert
- Other Percussion:
- Moderate
- Piano:
- Intermediate
- Vocalist - Bass:
- Intermediate
EQUIPMENT
Drums:
6.5x14 Pearl Artisan Mahogany/Poplar Snare
14x18 BD, 10x14, 6x10 toms homemade from Keller Shells
20x22 BD and 12x12 tom available for louder gigs
Cymbals:
22" Saluda Glory Low Jazz Ride
20" Saluda Earthworks Medium Ride
14" Saluda Prototype Jazz Hats
14" China
10" Zildjian ZHT Splash
8" Saluda Diamond Splash
Percussion:
2 cowbells with drum set mounts (1 hand, 1 foot)
Tambourine
MUSIC
-
Basin Street Blues
Basin Street Blues Year: 2013 Genre: Jazz
Recorded at 75 Years of Big Band, Shenandoah Conservatory Jazz Ensemble. Arrangement by Dr. Robert Larson.
-
Equinox
Equinox Year: 2013 Genre: Jazz
Recorded in the SU Studio with Alex Haley, Tyler Alstatt, and Eric Serbu.
