Gregory C. Coleman

Gregory C. Coleman (September 1944 – September 2006) was a member of The Winstons and the drummer of the famous Amen Break, a frequently sampled drum loop used mostly in drum and bass as well as hip hop and other genres.

Gregory Coleman was born in September 1944, one of five brothers and sisters. He was a member of the Mount Calvary Baptist Church and graduated from Armstrong High School in Richmond, Virginia in 1962. While in high school, he was a dynamic drum major for the school band and formed his own band, called GC Coleman and the Soul Twisters. He later drummed for the Marvelettes of Motown, Otis Redding as well as Curtis Mayfield and the Impressions. He loved to dance and was known for his laughter and sharp dressing. Later moved to Washington DC where he joined The Winstons and after that to Atlanta where he played with the Georgia Power Band and recorded with Brick.

Gregory C. Coleman died in Atlanta, Georgia in September, 2006. He was twice married and left a daughter and step daughter.

The music styles Jungle and Drum and Bass are both based on a sample of a drum-solo performed by Gregory Coleman on the song "Amen, Brother" from 1969 by The Winstons. This drum-solo sample is also very frequently used in Hip Hop.