GULLAH COLLECTIVE
9 Piece Jazz Band Uplifting, Perserving and Amplifying the sound of the Gullah Geechee People and Lowcountry of South Carolina.
Members:
Drums - Calvin "CL" Baxter (Band Leader/Founder)
Hybrid Drums - Javan Campbell
Gullah Drums - Donald "95" Graham
Keyboard/Organ - Stephen Washington
Keyboard/Organ - Demetrius "Boo" Doctor
Bass - LaVonta Green
Guitar - Thomas "TK" Kenney
Trumpet - Steve Morley
Trombone - Gavin Smith
Band Manager:
Tamara Baxter | Email: tamara@anchoredassistant.info | Cell: 843-647-8590
GULLAH COLLECTIVE LIVE FROM SUWANNEE AMP JAM (FULL SET)
Audience & Reach
Instagram: 23% Growth in 90 days | Reel Views: 27.2k Views in 30 days
Tik Tok: 61k Views in 30 days | 419 shares in 30 days (up 15%)
Facebook: 101k views in the last 30 days | Engagement up 320% in the last 30 days
Email Subscribers: 130 in the last 30 days
Recent Shows:
Sold out very first show June 2025
Masterclass - Student Programming
February 2026 - Coastal Carolina University 2 Day Workshop and Masterclass with Music Department and students.
"Gullah Collective brought exceptional artistry, joy, and a profound depth of cultural and musical knowledge to Coastal Carolina University. During their residency, the Collective led masterclasses, collaborated directly with one of our student ensembles, and delivered an inspiring concert that deeply resonated with our students and local community.
Students and faculty benefited from the members’ extensive professional experience and appreciated the rich historical context they provided on Gullah music, instruments, and culture. Each musician was personable and engaging, creating an environment where students felt comfortable asking questions and broadening their musical understanding.
Working with Calvin Baxter and the entire Gullah Collective was a pleasure from initial planning through the conclusion of their residency. Their professionalism, warmth, and commitment to education made a lasting impact on our students and our program."
-Emilio Terranova - Asst. Professor of Music, Coordinator of Commercial Music and Jazz (BA)
Biography
Gullah Collective is a 9 piece band founded by drummer, percussionist, and producer Calvin “CL” Baxter II with a mission to preserve and promote the sounds of the Gullah Geechee culture. Rooted in the rich musical traditions of the Lowcountry, the group blends jazz, roots, R&B, and gospel while honoring the deep West African rhythms and storytelling that define Gullah music.
Inspired by his time touring as a fill in drummer with 2x Grammy Award winners Ranky Tanky, Baxter envisioned the collective as a platform to elevate Gullah Geechee music on the global stage. The ensemble is made up of accomplished musicians who have performed with Grammy Award winning and nationally recognized artists such as A$AP Ferg and Maverick City Music, as well as gospel artist Kelontae Gavin. Members have toured internationally, maintain weekly residencies at prominent Charleston venues, and include leadership such as the Director of Charleston Jazz Academy, bringing both global experience and deep local roots to the stage.
Featuring drums, hybrid drums, traditional Gullah drums, organ, keys, bass, guitar, trumpet, and trombone, Gullah Collective embodies the soul and spirit of the Sea Islands, bridging heritage and innovation to share the powerful and resilient sound of the Lowcountry with audiences worldwide.
Press photos
