EXCLUSIVE... Early photos of Stix Hooper's visit to Pearl Japan

This intensive musical education helped Stix polish his artistry and enabled his craftmanship to be so diverse that he's been able to perform and collaborate with a wide range of artists in the mainstream of pop and contemporary music.

Stix has performed, collaborated, composed with and produced for a wide of music greats, including Arthur Fielder, Geaorge Shearing, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra of London, B.B. King, Grover Washington, Jr, Quincy Jones, Marvin Gaye, Nancy Wilson and The Rolling Stones.

In addition, Stix Hooper has contributed much to the world of music and to the Jazz Community through his work with the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, where he has served as the National Vice Chairman (the first African American to do so), having previously served three terms as President of the Los Angeles Chapter of NARAS (the first ever three term President, and only the second African American President). Among the many awards he has garnered are 9 Grammy nominations, numerous #1 awards from Billboard, Cashbox and Record World magazines, as well as Top Drummer award by Billboard magazine.