Background

Mr. Sparks works with various school districts, churches, choral ensembles, and theatrical productions throughout the United States as a percussionist, drummer, teacher, consultant, writer, and producer. Sparks has served on the TMEA All-State Jazz Band selection committee for several years, adjudicated jazz band, drum-line competitions and his former students (Terreon Gully-Stefon Harris, Christian McBride; Taku Hirano-Bette Midler, Fleetwood Mac; Kendrick Scott-Terrance Blanchard; Eric Harland-SF Jazz Collective; Marci Chapa-Beyonce) are some of the leading drummers and percussionists in the music industry.  Professor Sparks serves on the faculties of Lone Star College-Kingwood/North Harris campuses, Texas Southern University Mr. Sparks holds Bachelors of Music (Performance) from the University of Illinois-CU and a Masters of Art (Performance) from Eastern Illinois University.

As a performer, he has worked in various genres of the music industry, including; Orchestral: Chicago Civic Orchestra, Scott Joplin Orchestra, Texas Master Chorale Orchestra, BlackNote Ensemble, Ensemble Theatre, Broadway Musicals; The Color Purple, The Wiz, Ragtime, Titanic, King and I, and Will Rodgers Follies: Jazz Artists; Max Roach, Joe Henderson, Sandip Burman, Roy Ayers and Ernie Watts: R&B and Gospel; Calvin Owens Blues Orchestra, Maxx Traxx, Gladys Knight, Aretha Franklin, Mattie Moss Clark and the Clark Sisters, Shirley Caesar, Lakewood Church Orchestra (w/Israel Houghton and Cindy Cruise), 2nd Baptist Church and James Cleveland.  Sparks has recorded over 200 commercials for Radio and TV as a writer, player, and producer.

As a soloist and clinician, Professor Sparks has presented at the International Association of Jazz Educators, Texas Bandmaster Association, Texas Music Educators Association, Percussive Arts Society International Convention, Caribbean Studies Association International Convention, U of Northern Colorado, Chicago State U, East Tennessee State U, Eastern Illinois U, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, Mid-West Band and Orchestra Convention, and served as a staff member of the United States Percussion Camp. He is an educational consultant for Sabian Cymbals, Vic Firth Mallets and Sticks, Evans Drum Heads and Latin Percussion Music Group.

Location

Houston, TX

Occupation

Percussion/Educator

Music That Inspires Me

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Films I'll Watch More Than Once

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