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Ulysses Owens

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Ulysses Owens Jr.
Born (1982-12-06) December 6, 1982 (age 41)
Jacksonville, Florida, United States
GenresJazz, hard bop, swing
Instrumentsdrums and percussion
Years active2002-present

Ulysses Owens Jr. (born December 6, 1982 in Jacksonville, Florida, United States) is an American multi Grammy Award winning drummer and percussionist, known for his work with bassist Christian McBride,[1][2] and singer Kurt Elling, as well as Wynton Marsalis, Mulgrew Miller, Nicholas Payton, Benny Golson, Maceo Parker, and Joey Alexander.[3][4] He is active on both the New York and international jazz scene as a sideman and band leader. He has also been named a "rising star" in the Downbeat Critic's Poll.[5] He was the drummer on Kurt Elling's Grammy-winning album Dedicated to You: Kurt Elling Sings the Music of Coltrane and Hartman, and also on Christian McBride's Grammy-winning The Good Feeling.[6][7][8][9] His composition, The Simplicity of Life, was commissioned by the string quartet ETHEL for their multimedia show ETHEL's Documerica, which is currently on a national tour.[10]

Biography

Owens began playing the drums at the age of 2. He played many types of music in his younger years, centering on his experience in the church. By the time he was in his early teens, he realized that he would become a jazz musician, and received a full scholarship to study at the Juilliard School, in its inaugural jazz program.[11] At Juilliard he began actively playing in the New York scene. Notably, he has performed with both Kurt Elling and Christian McBride, the latter with whom he is currently touring. He has recorded with many musicians and singers, and has released two full albums as a leader.[7][8][9][12][13]

Charity work

Owens is also the co-founder and artistic director of the charity, Don’t Miss A Beat. DMAB’s mission is “…to blend music, art, academic achievement, and civic engagement to inspire and enlighten children and teens in the Riverside and Brooklyn communities.” After graduating from Juilliard in 2006, Owens traveled the world as a jazz drummer. "I saw so many arts programs for kids, especially in other cultures, and I thought we really need something like this back home." After hearing about Jacksonville's high dropout rate and other problems with struggling youths, Owens and his family designed a program to help suspended youths stay in school. Programming also includes developing workable skills for parents so that, as noted previously, youth have self-sufficient, caring adult role models who are able to provide a safe, healthy environment for their children.[14]

Discography

With Christian McBride

With Joey Alexander

References

  1. ^ Shand, John. "Christian McBride Trio", The Canberra Times, 31 May 2013.
  2. ^ "The Christian McBride Trio". Miamiartzine.com. 2012-08-22. Retrieved 2013-09-19.
  3. ^ Ulysses Owens. "Ulysses Owens | Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2013-09-19.
  4. ^ Chinen, Nate (July 7, 2016). "Jazz Pianist Joey Alexander Turns 13 and Debuts New Song 'City Lights'". New York Times. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
  5. ^ "60th Annual Critics Poll : Downbeat" (PDF). Downbeat.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-12-14. Retrieved 2013-12-09. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ "Ulysses Owens Jr. :: OFFICIAL WEBSITE". Usojazzy.com. Retrieved 2013-09-19.
  7. ^ a b "Ulysses Owens Jr. Artist Page". Zildjian.com. Retrieved 2013-09-19.
  8. ^ a b "Nicholas Payton: Boston, February 24, 2011". Allaboutjazz.com. Retrieved 2013-09-19.
  9. ^ a b "Under the Banner of McBride: Two Bass Hits from a Low-End Giant". Allaboutjazz.com. Retrieved 2013-09-19.
  10. ^ http://www.ethelcentral.org/ethels-documerica-composer-chat-with/
  11. ^ "Interview: Ulysses Owens". Inflatable Ferret. Retrieved 2013-09-19.
  12. ^ Ulysses Owens Jr. "Band - Ulysses Owens, Jr". Kurt Elling. Retrieved 2013-09-19.
  13. ^ All About Jazz. "Grammy Win - Ulysses Owens Jr., Drummer on Kurt Elling's Dedicated to You!". News.allaboutjazz.com. Retrieved 2013-09-19.
  14. ^ "Steps You Need to Take to Start a Family Nonprofit". Blackenterprise.com. 2012-12-12. Retrieved 2013-09-19.
  15. ^ Fordam, John (November 10, 2016). "Joey Alexander: Countdown review – 13-year-old prodigy has an old jazz soul". The Guardian. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
  16. ^ "Joey Alexander: Countdown" (HMTL). Allmusic. Retrieved 2017-06-25.
  17. ^ Colette, Doug (September 17, 2016). "Joey Alexander: Countdown" (HMTL). AllAboutJazz. Retrieved 2017-06-25.
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