McClenty Hunter, Jr. is a Grammy-nominated drummer who has worked with jazz icons Lou Donaldson, Cedar Walton, Jimmy Heath, Kenny Garrett, Buster Williams and Curtis Fuller, among others. He has been voted a DownBeat Rising Star and has twice received critic’s nods in Modern Drummer Magazine.

McClenty is a member of Dave Stryker’s Organ Trio with whom he has recorded and appeared at Litchfield Jazz Festival. His discography also includes recordings with Javon Jackson and Kenny Garrett on his Grammy nominated Pushing The World Away (2013). McClenty is Director of the KIPP Academy String and Rhythm Orchestra in the South Bronx. He had conducted students in collaborative performances with VH1’s Save the Music Foundation and Robin Hood Foundation featuring Roger Waters, Bon Jovi, Sheryl Crow, John Legend, John Mayer, and Mary J. Blige. McClenty is a Howard University graduate and completed his Master’s Degree in Jazz Studies at The Juilliard School of Music.