Jerrod "J-rod" Sullivan
Atlanta, Georgia, United States | Established. Jan 01, 1992
Music
Press
Jerrod “J-Rod” Sullivan and Chris Hill knew they wanted to be musicians at an early age.
Sullivan, a Cartersville High School graduate, started using the pots and pans from his mother Alfreda’s kitchen as instruments at 18-months old.
“We noticed his talent pretty early on,” said father Jonathan Sullivan.
The elder Sullivan said he bought his son a drum kit at age four and the rest is history.
Hill, who is the youngest of six children, said he grew up in a musically-gifted family so music has always been his passion.
He asked for and finally received his first bass guitar at age 13 and said he has been playing since.
“It all just kind of went from there,” said Hill, a Woodland High School graduate.
The two are now professional musicians who, along with band mates Daniel “D. Rhodes” Dureng and Xeryus Gittens, perform together as Motion Picture Unit.
The name for the band and its serendipitous beginning stem from their first official “gig” – a role in a cable television series.
Sullivan said the musicians decided to link up after hearing about a new show being filmed in Atlanta, “Being Mary Jane,” which premiered Tuesday on BET.
The show is an original movie starring Gabrielle Union as a successful TV news anchor and an entirely self-sufficient powerhouse who remains devoted to a family that doesn’t share her motivation, the network’s website stated.
Sullivan said earlier this year Hylton Casting announced that producers were looking for a house band to feature in an episode of the movie’s spin-off series of the same name.
Motion Picture Unit submitted a press kit and Sullivan said they were chosen for the role.
Filming for the episode took two days, April 22 and April 23, at the Georgia Terrace Hotel with each day’s shoot lasting about 12 hours Sullivan said.
The band is featured in episode five and Sullivan said a lot of hard work went into making it all look real.
Sullivan said the band didn’t actually play live music for the taping, but the recorded tracks used during production are Motion Picture Unit’s actual music.
Hill said being involved in the film was a memorable experience.
“It was fun,” Hill said. “It was definitely motivating.”
Sullivan, who graduated from the Atlanta Institute of Music in 2012, said that in addition to networking with cast members, Motion Picture Unit also learned important lessons about show business.
“I learned how to act on a professional level,” Sullivan said. “It was a great experience.”
Read more: Neighbor Newspapers - Bartow County musicians cast in cable TV series - Neighborhood Newspapers
Sharing 15+ years of music-making, friendship and dedication, the 4 Korners have finally broken ground with their first self-titled album! With humble church beginnings in Cartersville, GA – a small town outside of Atlanta – their development of intense passions lead them to expand their musical creativity into other genres, such as R&B, Jazz and Jazz Fusion. With strong influences from Chick Corea’s Elektric Band, Yellowjackets, The Dave Weckl Band, and Tribal Tech, The 4 Korners are reigniting the music scene with an electrifying Jazz Fusion sound. Prepare for the unexpected, embark on an emotional journey and experience the passion and creativity of this talented brotherhood, with Clarence “T-Lee” Hill on keys, James “JT” Thompson Jr. on bass, Isaac “Ike” Thompson on lead guitar and Jerrod “J-Rod” Sullivan on drums. - BestofAtlantaConcerts.com
Dude you are killing! Very solid and clean! Keep working hard. - Sonny Emory
Man your chops are very clean & your groove is tight! Keep pushing forward and learn everything you can about your craft. - Chris Coleman
Awesome playing, I'm really inspired!!! - Leez Simmons
This dude inspires me.. Fo-real!!!
Keep it up..!!! - Bishop Jason L Sims
Beautiful...pocket and clutch...great tune to shed too..from one multi-instrumentalist to another I hope plenty of kids see this...this is how to ride the groove on bass and kit...God bless man...ENJOYED - Arnick Shouse
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Bio
Born on November 17, 1992, in Cartersville, Georgia, Jerrod "J-rod" Sullivan was the product of a music loving family. From a young age he was exposed to artists from the likes of Earth, Wind & Fire, Stanley Clarke & James Brown, which ignited his desire to become an instrumentalist. With church being the cornerstone to his family's lives, it was there he would embark upon his musical journey. Gospel music impacted his style of playing early in his development, but he credits R&B and Funk as his strongest musical influences. As J-Rod's gift continued to develop expediently, he attended a drum camp hosted by Sonny Emory. In doing so, he had the opportunity to be mentored by drummers Teddy Campbell, Yonrico Scott, Ivan Hampden and, of course, Sonny Emory himself. This was when J-rod recognized his love for music flourished, causing him to make music a centerpiece in his life.
During J-rod's attendance at Cartersville High School, he was a skilled member of the jazz and symphonic band; and as center snare, he was an undeniable standout in marching band. Realizing his love for music was beyond his high school leveled bands, he walked away after two years. He was now focused on making music a full time career, not just an extracurricular activity. Taking the proper precautions, he became popular demand around Atlanta; and not only on drums but he was beginning to master music production as well. Upon graduation in 2011, he furthered his musical education at Atlanta Institute of Music, studying music performance. Here, J-rod was being stretched on drums, in music production and his desire to learn bass guitar ignited. He credits each of his AIM instructors for his in depth knowledge of his talents.
J-Rod is now a well equipped
multi-instrumentalist and producer who is the drummer for a Jazz Fusion
band, The 4 Korners, Chantae Cann, Alexis Dene and Oasis Family Life
Church (Dallas, GA). He is high up on the request list as he has shared
the stage with artists such as Kenny Latimore, Alex Bugnon, Demetria McKinney, Ronnie
Laws, Leigh Bush (Sammie) and many more. J-rod has also made it to the
big screen with an appearance on BET's "Being Mary Jane" and VH1's
"Single Ladies". As his gift continues to make room for him, it is
evident that his future is bright. He lives by the quote "all things are
possible to those who believe", and judging by his accomplishments, it
rings true. With purpose driven faith, he knows that this is only the
beginning.
Band Members
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