John Grady

Mr. John Grady, born and raised in Queens, New York, is an Educator. His career has included teaching Elementary, Junior, and Senior High School in Ohio, NYC, and Westchester County. Mr. Grady also was part of the faculty at Bronx Community College, and is an Adjunct Instructor at Dutchess Community College. Recently retired from full time teaching, Mr. Grady is presently very much involved with two of his lifelong hobbies: Drumming and Black History. 

As a Student of Black History Mr. Grady has been investigating the influence that rhythms from West Africa has had on the music and culture of the Caribbean, and North America. To this end, Mr. Grady plays the Djun Djun Drums Set. He studied and preformed with Kazi Oliver and his Drummers & Dancers for eight years. Presently Mr. Grady performs with Sankofa a drum & dance group founded by Maxwell Kofi Donkor a native of Ghana. In addition to studying with Kofi, he regularly attends classes given by master drummers from Senegal and Guinea.