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John "Lil John" Lumpkin

Biography
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John "Lil John" Lumpkin is an up and coming drummer through the jazz and gospel scene in the nation. He obtains a Bachelors Degree in Jazz Studies from the University of North Florida under the direction of Danny Gottlieb and Charlotte Mabrey. He also has received his Masters in Music from Florida State University under the leadership of Leon Anderson 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.

Through the grace of God John has worked with jazz artist such as:

Wallace Roney Marcus Printup Hironobu Saito Marco Panascia Jon Irabagon Kevin Bales Pat Bianchi Rodney Jordan Slide Hampton Delfeayo Marsalis Winard Harper Rufus Reid Wycliff Gordon Arturo Sandoval Ed Calle Nathan Davis Curtis Fuller Jon Reshard Lynne Arriale Stephanie Jordan

He also has worked within the gospel industry with musicians such as:

Calvin Rodgers George "Spanky" McCurdy Jeremy Haynes Kim Burrell Stephen Hurd, Pastor Lamar Simmons, Leon Timbo Lisa McClendon

His ultimate goal is to become the instrument that Jesus Christ would have him to be to the world.

"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." John's many recognitions include the 2005 IAJE Community College All-Star Big Band, invitations to participate in the 2008 Steans Institute for Young Artists in Chicago directed by Dr. David Baker and the 2009 Betty Carter Jazz Ahead Program at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. to which he was then place in DownBeat Magazine in March 5, 2009. John's future plans include touring, recording, teaching his private students, and pursuing his spiritually led professional career.

Awards

2005 IAJE Community College All-Star Big Band 2008 Steans Institute for Young Artists 2009 Betty Carter Jazz Ahead Program at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. to which he was then place in DownBeat Magazine in March 5, 2009.