Episode 61 | Jerrod "J-Rod" Sullivan
Welcome to another episode of the DrumGAB podcast! This week we are speaking to J-Rod Sullivan from the Atlanta based jazz fusion group, The 4 Korners. J-Rod is also the man behind “Got Pocket” apparel. We talk about creating opportunities for yourself, how education can serve a player, diversifying within your industry and influencing others in a positive way.
J-Rod plays Pearl Drums, Zildjian Cymbals and Vic Firth drum sticks.
Who is J-Rod?
J-Rod began exploring rhythm and drums at the very young age of two years old and stuck with him ever since. Over the years of playing church services, his roots in music are R&B and gospel music. Currently he is the drummer for the Atlanta based jazz fusion group The 4 Korners.
Throughout his experiences with this band, he has found a way to apply what he already understood musically and refine his approach and sound to meet the high demands of performing jazz fusion. J-Rod also studied at AIM to further his understanding of music. J-Rod studied during the time that Tom Knight was faculty, who is a past guest and dear friend of DrumGAB. Overall, J-Rod possesses the spirit of music and wishes to inspire as many people as possible with his gift.
Key Moments in this Episode
- J-Rod explains the story behind how he became the drummer for The 4 Korners. A trip to Best Buy lead to a call which lead to him to join the band. It is a story that shows that opportunities are created and earned, not gifted.
- J-Rod spent most of his musical life not understanding how to read music, knowing what it was he played or why he played it. He decided to change that by attending AIM. J-Rod explains how attending school served him well and how it was also a significant challenge for him.
- We get back to The 4 Korners and the bands’ writing process for new compositions. J-Rod breaks down their organic and open formula to create their music.
- Besides being a musician, J-Rod also programs live shows and produces artists under the name “J-Rod Sullivan Productions”. J-Rod talks about how he began doing this type of work and what programming a live show is.
- J-Rod also teaches drum lessons online and so I ask about the challenges with instructing a Skype lesson and the benefits and deficits of an online lesson versus an in person lesson.
- We talk about how it is his hope to inspire people all over the world with his music. I ask him if there is anything else that he does in life that can affect people like his drumming does.
Concluding Thoughts
At the end of the day you have to recognize your passions and keep them a priority in your life. Once you develop your craft you then have to begin creating opportunities for yourself and somehow make it your career. Jerrod had a strategy in mind when he asked Clarence and Isaac to help him out with a gig. He wanted to put himself in front of the people that he admires and if the opportunity ever happened, be in the band.
Between that milestone and the fact that he went to AIM to up his theory and learn how to read music, constantly diversifying in other areas of the music industry and teaching online….J-Rod is cornering his success. J-Rod is living in his purpose and spreading positivity around with the gift that he has.
Music by: The 4 Korners
Order of tracks:
Table for 2
Orbiting Hands
Phraseology
King’s Highway
Portal of Gold
Opening interview sample “The Pace Report” with The 4 Korners
J-Rod’s Socials
Instagram | Facebook | Website | YouTube
DrumGAB’s Socials