Meet Ethan Oliver of Music

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ethan Oliver

Hi Ethan, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
According to my parents, my musical journey started before birth. My parents are both musicians and shared with me when they were in a rehearsal, I kicked my mom on the song’s beat. I’ve played drums since I was two years old, gaining valuable experience from my dad
playing at church. In the eighth grade, he encouraged me to audition for the Triangle Youth Jazz Ensemble at age 13. Through that organization, I got the chance to learn about the history of jazz and how to lead a big band.

In the past 3 years, I have had the chance to perform at the Essentially Ellington competition in New York. There, I was awarded “Outstanding Drummer” three years in a row. I was also grateful to be a part of prestigious camps and bands such as Vail Jazz Workshop 2023, NYO Jazz 2024, Next Generation Jazz Orchestra 2024 and currently a member of the Herbie Hancock Institue. From these experiences, I’ve had the opportunity to work with world-class musicians such as Sean Jones, Gerald Clayton, and Wycliffe Gordan, to name a few. These opportunities have developed my improvisational and ensemble skills. These programs have further motivated my passion for music and shaped my aspirations as a professional drummer.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Building a reputation takes time since so much depends on connections. You can be talented, but if people don’t know you, opportunities are limited. That’s why I put myself in as many musical spaces as possible—gigs, jam sessions, and learning from others. At the same time, balancing school, practice, and performances is tough. Some nights, I’m up late finishing schoolwork after an opportunity, or I have to miss social events to stay prepared academically and musically. I am deeply committed to music, but I also make time to recharge to avoid burnout.

One of the most time-consuming parts of my senior year was going through the college audition process. It wasn’t necessarily an obstacle, but it did require a lot of planning, energy, and patience. First, I had to prepare and submit pre-screen recordings for each school, which meant hours of planning and making sure everything was recorded, editied and submitted on time. After passing the pre-screens, I had to travel to each school to audition in person. It was exciting, but also exhausting, especially while keeping up with school work, gigs, and my responsibilities as the drummer at the church I attend. On top of that, the waiting period after auditions was agonizing, not knowing which opportunities might come through. Still, I tried to stay focused on what I could control and just keep growing through the process.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a drummer with a deep passion for all genres of music, which I think is one of the things that shapes my style and approach to playing. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to perform in some pretty incredible venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Rose Theater, and festivals like the Monterey, Caramoor and Vail Jazz Festivals. It’s been amazing to connect with diverse audiences and play in spaces that are so steeped in musical history.
I’ve also had the privilege of sharing the stage with some truly inspiring musicians like Jason Moran, Marcus Printup, and Linda Sikhakhane. Each collaboration has taught me so much, and I’m always striving to learn from everyone I work with.

One of the highlights of my career so far was touring South Africa with NYO Jazz, which was an unforgettable experience — getting to see a different culture, connecting with local musicians, and learning from the whole experience. This group of musicians will soon be releasing a recording of the music from that tour. I’m excited to share that I’ll be touring South America with the same group this summer, which I think is going to be another incredible chapter in my musical journey.

Any big plans?
In the future, I’m looking to further my education by attending college for music. I want to immerse myself in an environment where I can grow as a musician, refine my skills, and connect with other artists who share the same passion.

After college, my goal is to build a career as a performing, touring, and recording musician. I love the idea of being on the road, playing music for different audiences, and collaborating with artists from all over the world. Whether it’s in the studio or on stage, I just want to keep creating, pushing my artistry forward, and sharing music with as many people as possible.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ethan0liv3r/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ethan.oliver.3114
• Twitter: https://x.com/_3than0liver
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/EthanOliver