​MJ “SAMURI” MORRIS
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MJ “Samuri” Morris is 30 years old based out of Richmond VA and has been playing since he was 4 years old. He started banging on pots and pans and found himself enjoying the beats that he could come up with. So he started to teach himself how to play. He started to get serious at 10 years of age and decided that he needed to try to perfect this gift that god has blessed him with. He started praying and god revealed to him that this is what he will do for a living in his adult life. So he started studying various drummers like Dave Weckle, Ronald Bruner, Buddy Rich along with other local drummers. As time went on he discovered the likes of Chris Coleman, Buddy Rich, Marvin Mquitty, Eric Moore, Thomas Pridgen, Tony Royster, Jeremy Haynes, Calvin Rodgers and Elvin Jones. These drummers inspired him to really get down to business and create his own style of playing and so that he can also make his mark as well. Here’s where his Journey began.
He has played and assisted gospel artist in workshops such as, Vashawn Mitchell, Timothy Wright, Patrick Lundy, Steven Roberts, Sam Bennet, Beverly Crawford, Jackie McCullugh, Donnie McClurkin, William Murphy, Chris Tomlin, Hezekiah Walker, Jabari Hill, Jesse Stevenson etc. By working with these artists, He had to promote himself by producing demos, references by other artist, and also on the spot auditions. Amongst those people he has been given great complements and recognition by very noteworthy musicians. He has played for the Richmond Outreach Center which is noted as being the fastest growing church in America, Featured in various magazines. He also plays for a one of the most powerful local churches also in the Richmond Area, Redeemed Assembly of Jesus Christ. Aside from these churches he plays all over whenever he’s called upon. He has played for the Norfolk State Gospel Choir Voices of Inspiration, along with signed new artist Lamont Fleming with TWIN OF LEGENDS ENT. He loves the challenges of different styles of music which he works on in his down time, He practices for worst and best case scenarios so that He would be able to be almost if not perfect at his performances. He is also now the founder of the ASSASSINS BAND, which is taking this industry by storm. God has given him the idea to take is personal experiences from being a musician to become resource for musicians by creating a Musicians Staffing Agency through his company Samuri Services, where he ensures that qualified musicians get proper placement and an opportunity to earn income doing what they love to do.
Aside from his extensive musical skills and experience, He has also worked in various work environments, including the "corporate world,” with a Bachelors in Business Administration, which has given him additional experience in working with diverse people in a team setting. He also furthered his education in music by obtaining a Bachelors degree in Music Production and is now obtaining his bachelors for Musical Therapy from the Los Angeles Film School where he is expected to graduate in May of 2019. He is now persuing a Doctorate Degree at Liberty University in Music and Worship Arts, while attending Berklee online Mastering in Production. He has also taken an interest in teaching the younger generation how to play and help them create their own style. He believes that directly correlates with working in a band. He knows how to conduct himself professionally and effectively for the betterment of the group as a whole, not just for himself. He loves building a rapport with his fellow band members because he feels that music should be empowering and if you don’t have a good relationship with the people that you are working with, you won’t have good music.
Current Endorsments: MRP Drums, Soultone Cymbals, Solo Beat Drumsticks