Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, music has been Eli’s life for the past 38 years. He started playing drums at two
years of age on kitchen pots and pans and hasn’t lost any of that same passion or innovation
over the years. Eli grew up playing at church where his parents and entire family attended. He
had many influences on his development as a drummer. Personally, his Uncle Danny and Adrian Harrell, cousins Ricky Bullard and Reggie McTaw(deceased), who he watched growing up, initially showed him the love and desire to be great at what he does.
His parents who encouraged him to always keep God first in everything that he does.
On a professional level, he was intrigued and shaped by the work of Ladell Abrahms, Calvin
Rodgers, Dennis Chambers, Dave Weckl, Buddy Rich, Vinny Colaiuta, Gerald Hayward and
Aaron Spears. Also, Eli’s music mentors, Phillip Johnson of PhillGood Music and grammy
nominated producer and musician, D. DoRohn Gough of DoRohn Records and BanDJ
Entertainment, have played a major role in his life and development as a drummer and
musician.
Eli graduated from The Detroit High School for the Fine & Performing Arts with a major in
Instrumental. He played with their marching, concert, jazz, symphony and symphony orchestra bands.
He gained exposure to different styles and genres of music during this time.
Though he is adept as a musician on other instruments such as piano, keyboards and organ,
his heart and truth are drums. During his years at Eastern Michigan University, he was the lead
drummer for the Eastern Michigan Gospel Choir. This group performed in local and live shows,
as well as performance tours across the nation. Due to their success, the choir was signed to
the record label, DoRohn Records, creating opportunities to play and perform with many other
artists, including RXG, Esther Smith, etc.
During these past 38 years, Eli has been able to provide services to a variety of organizations,
from churches to weddings, as well as personal events. These experiences has allowed him to
expand his musical ability to not only playing music, but now creating music also. Eli serves as
the music producer for all of the music needs of LAH Ministries. This is a non-profit
organization that inspires and brings a message of hope to 100 plus viewers every week via
social media. He is currently the drummer and serves as a music director for BanDJ, which is
the flagship band for the company BanDJ Ent. This has offered him so much experience in
being able to remain versatile in his approach to playing. Their music performances cross a
variety of music genres, from Hip-Hop to R&B, and Pop. This allows for high visibility to both
young and old. BanDJ Entertainment’s vast talent pool, allows him access to younger
musicians to be able to pour in to them and pass on knowledge that he has acquired over the
years.
Eli’s goal is to continue to leave a legacy of great character and professionalism not just as a
drummer, but as a musician. That for those that will come and are coming after him, would
continue to inspire life one beat at a time.