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Stick Gripps came on the scene @ NAMM 2008

    Cleve Alleyne demoed Stick Gripps with Ford Drums at Namm and received an overwhelming response.

   About Cleve Alleyne: Cleve started a band named Eternity, which featured The Late Arthur Rhames on guitar, and life long friend Adrian Grannum on Drums, Adrian was later replaced by Collin Young. Eternity had a reputation for their approach to what was then called Jazz Rock Fusion. They were the opening act for Larry Coryell’s Eleventh House Band. Eternity was the result of Cleve’s search to find some of the best musicians in Brooklyn. Cleve and Arthur were like brothers, they worked hard to refine the music and believed that Great music coupled with positive consciousness possesses the power to change things, or at least to inspire.

    A bit of an inventor, Cleve was always involved in something creative, from working on cars to building computers. He also found his way around New York in the early days as well, studying bass with Reggie Workman, interacting and making friends with Sirone, Bassist of the Revolutionary Ensemble. Also hanging with Jazz greats like Henry Threadgill, they all knew Cleve. As the 80’s arrived Cleve worked at New York’s legendary “55 Grand” There he would meet the larger community of musicians like Jaco Pastorius, Kenny Kirkland, Marcus Miller, Darryl Jones, Stanley Jordon, Branford Marsalis, just to name a few. This was also an opportunity for Cleve to expose his band which featured Cleve on Piccolo Bass and reunited him with his life long friend, drummer Adrian Grannum.

    Cleve moved to Los Angeles from New York in 1991 where he connected with his friend Kenny Kirkland, who till that point he only maintained a friendship by phone with. Kenny Kirkland was with the Branford Marsalis band doing the Tonite Show gig. Cleve and Kenny now had an opportunity to hang. It was through Kenny Kirkland that Cleve met Diana Wimbish who hosted a radio show called “Jazz Night Flight” on KXLU 88.9 FM Los Angeles. After interacting a bit with Cleve Diana thought he would be great for radio so Diana Wimbish invited Cleve to do a segment of the Jazz Night Flight show, Cleve ended up DJ-ing for 8 years on Jazz Night Flight, establishing his own personal blend of play choices from John Coltrane, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Miles Davis, Weather Report, to Frank Zappa plus every great artist and band in between, Cleve Played it all.

Introducing Stick Gripps, What are Stick Gripps ? Stick Gripps are a creative and effective way to reduce stick slippage, player fatigue and hand blistering, all while retaining a natural stick feel. Gain greater power & control while using your favorite Sticks, Mallets, Brushes, etc. Available in a variety of colors, you can personalize ring configurations and identify your various sticks at a glance. Installs in minutes, endures stick life.