Artist Detail

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Samuel Dinkins III

Musician

About the artist: Founder and director of the Dinky Drum Company, located in Houston, Texas where children and adults learn about percussion through private and group instruction, performances and clinics.

Mr. Dinkins has worked in the following positions: Percussion Specialist for the Central District of the Houston ISD (HISD); Music teacher at Parker Elementary School (the 2002 National GRAMMY Signature Elementary School) an HISD Music Magnet School; and Percussion Instructor at the following summer music camps: the United States Percussion Camp at Eastern Illinois University (1993-2000) and at the Texas Southern University Band Leadership Camp in Houston (1994-present). His award winning, educational programs for inner-city youth have received funding from the Cultural Arts Council of Houston/Harris County, the Texas Commission for the Arts, and the Evin Thayer Scholarship Fund (2002 Recipient). He has been featured on Heartbeat of America’s National Television Show, “Keeping America Strong” hosted by William Shatner and other television personalities.

As a Band Leader, with several of his Musical Ensembles, the list of performances and events through DDC Entertainment include the Mayor of Houston’s Inaugural Dinner, events for the 2004 NFL Super Bowl along with many Concerts, Festivals and Private engagements. Mr. Dinkins is one of the Educational Artist for “DaCamera of Houston” (1998-present) performing in its “Beyond the Concert Hall” community outreach program, “DaCamera Goes to the Zoo” series, and the “A Little Day Music” concert series at the Wortham Theater Center as well as with “Davis’ Professional Educational Services” (2002-present). With DDC Educational Shows he is developing, presenting and performing at Schools and Community Centers through out Texas.

Originally from Brooklyn, New York, he is an accomplished performer and producer who has worked with the NYC Metropolitan Orchestra, Howard University Bands and Ensembles, Houston Symphony, Scott Joplin Chamber Orchestra, the Gospel Music Workshop of America, Gene “the Duke of Earl” Chandler, the late Rev. James Cleveland, “the Queen of Soul” Aretha Franklin, the late Lionel Hampton, Stephanie Mills, Melba Moore, Joe Sample, Bobbi Humphrey, Hubert Laws, Mary Wilson of the Supremes, and numerous Jazz, Rhythm and Blues, and Gospel groups in Canada, the Caribbean and the United States.

Mr. Dinkins is married and the father of two sons. He endorses ProMark Drum Sticks, Remo Ethnic Percussion, Rhythm Tech Instruments, SKB Cases and Avedis Zildjian Cymbals.