McClenty Douglas Hunter, Jr. (Drums) began playing music in the church at an early age. Hunter received a scholarship to Howard University in Washington, DC to study with Grady Tate, where he matriculated in 2005, with a Bachelor Degree in Music Education. In 2007, Hunter received a Master Degree in Jazz Studies from The Juilliard School of Music, where he studied under drummer Carl Allen. While at Juilliard, Hunter joined the Eric Reed Trio and recorded The Dancing Monk (2011). Hunter has earned the opportunity to work with Lou Donaldson, Cedar Walton, Buster Williams, Curtis Fuller, Les McCann, Wycliffe Gordon, Peter Bernstein, Eric Alexander, Mike LeDonne, and Paul Bollenback.  McClenty’s drumming is represented on Dave Styrker’s Messin With Mr. T (2015) and Javon Jackson’s Live at Smoke: Expression (2013) to name a few.     In addition to performing, McClenty is the Director of KIPP Academy String and Rhythm Orchestra in the Bronx. As conductor, he has led students in performances in VH1’s Save the Music Foundation and Robin Hood Foundation galas with artists Roger Waters, Bon Jovi, Sheryl Crow, John Legend and John Mayer.   Hunter is currently a member of the Kenny Garrett Quintet and has gained international exposure by performing on Kenny Garrett’s latest Grammy Award nominated album Pushing the World Away (2013).  McClenty will also be featured on Kenny Garrett’s latest release which has yet to be determined.