University of Kansas professor joins Recording Academy

LAWRENCE (KSNT) - A University of Kansas (KU) professor is now part of a national community of music professionals.

KU Professor Brandon Draper made the announcement via Instagram on Thursday, July 10 that he is now part of the Recording Academy. He is an associate professor at KU where he teaches students about jazz, drums, world percussion and more, according to his biography. Kansas City-based musicians Marcus Lewis and Beau Bledsoe nominated Draper for the position.

The Recording Academy is a global community of musical creators and professionals that vote in the GRAMMY Awards process every October. Draper chose to join the Memphis Chapter governed by Alex Mallett of FOLK Alliance International. 

Draper originally hails from Salina, according to his website. He has performed with the likes of Donna Summer, Mose Allison, Particle, contributed to the score of hip-hop musical "Venice" in Los Angeles, as well as several symphonies. 

Draper told 27 News he had several reasons for applying. Many of his friends and colleagues were already members and had encouraged him to apply in the past. But another reason he had was to give his new Music Production degree legit credibility, as well as to provide his students, new and old, with the opportunity to connect with some of the leading figures in the music industry through GrammyU.

Draper is also joining the Recording Academy’s Songwriter & Composer Wing, as well as their Producer & Engineer Wing. Both are groups focused on creating workshops, mentorships and advocating for fair compensation and support for musicians everywhere. 

Now, Draper is focused on connecting with his new colleagues at the Recording Academy, making music and discovering all there is to know. Despite his lifelong career in music, he said he’s “still scratching the surface.”

Draper said there is always more to find out about the music industry and he can’t wait to share what he learns with all his students. He was nominated by Kansas City based musicians Marcus Lewis and Beau Bledsoe.

You can catch Brandon Draper at any of these events coming up: Give The Drummer Some More in Kansas City, on tour with his educational music experience Drum Safari, and at In The Lowest Ferns with his band Organic Proof.

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