Here are six photographs showing Todd Strait conducting a drum clinic at the Clay Center Community High School in Clay Center, Kansas. While attending Seaman High School, he started playing the drums and became interested in jazz music. Strait entered the national Slingerland-Bellson drum set competition for drummers 19 years old and younger. He was one of the 13 regional representatives, and after the first round, Strait was among the three remaining contestants. Strait finished in second place and received a $6,000 scholarship. He studied one year with Ed Soph at the University of Bridgeport but left college after his freshman year to pursue a music career. Strait continued taking drum lessons, and in 1982, he played in Sonny Costanza's big band. While playing at a jazz festival in Connecticut, Strait filled in for Marion McPartland's drummer. He later played with guitarist Tal Farlow, Woody Herman, Eldar Djangirov and Marion McPartland's trio from 1982-1989. Strait frequently returns to Kansas City where he plays with Bob Bowman, Karrin Allyson, Paul Smith, Rod Fleeman, Kevin Mahogany and many more.
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