His interest in percussion began at the tender age of two when he began experimenting with the drums from his beginnings in church. His youth and inability to read music made it difficult to secure an instructor to enhance what had been identified as a natural ability. While opportunities to study other instruments were available, there was no denying that drums were (and are) his one true musical love.

His interest and enthusiasm for the drums has never wavered. He has had opportunities to perform with some of the world’s finest entertainers, clinicians, and professional musicians, including Wynton Marsalis, Kenny Barron, Regina Carter, Benny Golson, Christian McBride, Eric Reed, Mulgrew Miller, and other fabulous musicians.

He is currently working with Russell Malone in his quartet which has been touring internationally, in addition to teaching at the Jazz at Lincoln Center middle-school jazz academy, where Wynton Marsalis is the artistic director. Through his experiences he has obtained endorsements from Paiste Cymbals, and Vic Firth Inc.

Joining in a partnership with these companies has enabled him to venture into the educational circuit through conducting clinics, internationally in Japan, Italy, Austria, Germany, Spain, as well as all over the U.S. teaching grade levels, K-12 in addition to university and conservatory levels.

Most recently, he has been selected to join the jazz faculty at Jacksonville University as Artist in Residence, which will entail private instruction, as well as master classes to all students enrolled in the music department.

He is also building his own corporation, USOJazzy Inc, through which he just launched the first division of the educational division. On August 26,2006 USOJazzy School Of Music opened the Drum Studio at it’s Jacksonville location with 10 students ranging from the ages 6- 40. The success of this studio is already promising, and with Ulysses vast resources and abilities, this school will produce great young and older students performing at peak of their abilities. USOJazzy has also ventured into the business world with the start of the family owned Spa and Hair Salon, USOJazzy Salon Studios, of which it services many men and women in the community as they keep themselves beautiful, and healthy while supporting the vision of USOJazzy Inc.

As a whole USOJazzy Inc will include many different conglomerates such as a Restaurant, and Jazz Club, Educational Center for the Arts, a Recording and Production company, and Ulysses himself will continue to operate in the area of philanthropy and combining all of his talents, furthering his vision of healing the world with the wonderful gift of music, and education. His plans also include partnering with the Zimbabwe Conservatory in Africa, and acting as the artistic director, developing a music curriculum from the foundation, which will be in operation in the fall of 2008.

Most recently, Ulysses has been selected to appear in the major motion picture "What Happened Las Vegas" starring Ashton Kutcher and Cameron Diaz. He is also currently on tour with singer Allan Harris. This tour will wrap up with performances at the Kenedy Center on September 28th and 29th, 2007.

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT: