len barnett presents

the modern cajon jazz ensemble

For music lovers of all ages, Len Barnett presents The Modern Cajon Jazz Ensemble, founded in 2018 to introduce percussion-driven jazz to Dallas area audiences. The ensemble takes its name from a Cuban/Latin American drum called a cajon, a box drum, used in traditional and contemporary Afro-Cubano music. The ensemble features some of Dallas’s most exciting jazz artists, playing music that explores a wide range of percussive sound ranging from the traditional (piano and drum) to the wildly unusual (gas pipe and Brazilian berimbau.) The Modern Cajon Jazz Ensemble plays events large and small: from background jazz at receptions. such as gallery openings at the Bath House Cultural Center, to small ensemble concerts for luncheons, conferences, and client appreciation events (notably, the Love Field Airport Entertainment Series) to full ensemble concerts such as the Arts in the Parks series in Dallas. During 2022, we were honored to provide the percussive soundtrack for Dallas Children’s Theater’s production of “10 Seconds.”

The Percussion Things brand will continue to provide the fast-paced, high-energy family shows Texas audiences love at libraries, schools, and festivals around the state, as well as team-building workshops and drum circles for teens and adults.

ABOUT LEN BARNETT

Len Barnett is a highly respected and sought after performer and educator. Len hails from Memphis Tennessee. Since childhood he has been immersed in the American musical traditions of Jazz, Blues, and R&B. He is a versatile experienced percussionist in several musical genres performing traditional rhythms and instruments from a diverse variety of cultures. He has performed with numerous acclaimed musicians; Kirk Franklin, Debbie Allen, Kirk Whalum, Philip Baily, Cab Calloway and noted local jazz artist Joe McBride, Tom Braxton and Freddie Jones.

Touring has taken him all across the USA, around Europe and throughout South America. When he's not on tour, or in the recording studio, you'll find him teaching and/or serving as accompanist for the Dance Departments at renowned organizations such as; Booker T. Washington for the Performing and Visual Arts, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico, Brookhaven College and others.

Len's notable performances include Imagination Celebration, TITAS, African American Museum, KidsArts, Dallas Parks and Recreation After School Programs, Dallas City Arts Program, Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico and Dallas Summer Musicals/Disney's "Lion King" Workshop. You can hear Len's work on the gospel soundtrack for Disney's "The Prince of Egypt" and Kirk Franklin’s platinum New Nation CD, as well as the CDs of noted local jazz artists.  And catch his appearance in season four of “The Chosen,” streaming on Netflix.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING...

THIS ECLECTIC LIFE - "ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH THE TODD RUNDGREN SONG "BANG ON THE DRUM ALL DAY?" OH, GO GIVE IT A LISTEN AND YOU WILL BE DANCING IN YOUR SEAT. THE LYRICS INCLUDE THE LINE: "I DON'T WANT TO WORK, i WANT TO BANG ON THE DRUM ALL DAY." FOR MY FRIEND LEN BARNETT THAT IS HIS WORK! WITH HIS GROUP PERCUSSION THINGS, HE TRAVELS ALL OVER NORTH TEXAS DELIGHTING AUDIENCES WITH HIS RHYTHMS." (CONTINUED...)

PERCUSSION FOR WORSHIP - "INTERVIEW WITH DAYSTAR'S LEN BARNETT. TUNE INTO CELEBRATION ON THE DAYSTAR NETWORK AND CHECK OUT THE BAND. IT'S GREAT TO SEE THAT THE LINEUP OF MUSICIANS INCLUDES A PERCUSSIONIST. ONE OF THE PLAYERS SHARING THE PERCUSSION SPOT IS LEN BARNETT." (CONTINUED...)

LORRAINE DAVIS-QUICK - “I RECENTLY HAD THE GREATEST MISFORTUNE OF HAVING A DELAYED CONNECTING FLIGHT AT LOVE FIELD ON THURSDAY 12/22. I WAS BLESSED THAT DAY BECAUSE I HEARD THE MOST WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS MUSIC — JAZZ STYLE & I COULDN’T STOP MOVING TO IT, NOR SIT DOWN TO EAT WHEN I ONLY HAD 15 MINUTES!!! THANKS FOR THE WONDERFUL AND UNEXPECTED CHRISTMAS GIFT!”

KEEP UP WITH BAND NEWS AND CONCERT DATES

Catch the modern cajon jazz ensemble this fall at the third annual DAL showcase, part of the

desoto jazz festival

october 5, 2024 / 2-8pm

DeSoto Amphitheatre
211 E. Pleasant Run Rd.
DeSoto, TX 75115

percussion things at the Dallas Children’s Theater

Percussion Things was selected to provide pre-show enrichment activities for the Dallas premiere of “Life Doesn’t Frighten Me,” based on Maya Angelou’s acclaimed poem of the same name.

March 16-30, 2024 at the Dallas Children’s Theater

Dallas Children's Theater | Astonishing Kids & Families with the fun of Broadway-like Plays & A Lot More (dct.org)

LEN BARNETT PERCUSSIONIST CREDIT

Year/Album/Artist/Credits

• 2010 Kirk Franklin: Double Play, Kirk Franklin. Len Barrett - Percussion

• 1998 The Nu Nation Project, Kirk Franklin. Len Barrett - Percussion

OUR CLIENTS INCLUDE...

Dallas Arboretum, Anderson Consulting, African-American Museum of Art, Dallas Museum of Natural Science, Irving Arts Center, Imagination Celebration, National Black Mayors’ Conference, African-American Heritage Celebration, Dallas Summer Musicals, Dallas Black Dance Theater, Dallas Parks & Recreation, Pier 1 Imports, Robb & Stucky, Intl., Marie Gabrielle Restaurant, Collin County Community College District, SPCA of Texas, Goode, Farrell & Fulton, Volunteer Center of Dallas, The Links, Inc. - Ebony Fashion Fair, Cedar Crest Golf, Parkland Hospital, Aids LifeWalk, and many more...