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Cassius M. Goens III

Jazz drummer, composer, and instructor.

About Me

Cassius Goens III is one of Indiana's finest drummers and graduate of Ball State University. He is now pursuing a Masters of Arts in Jazz Studies at the University of Iowa, where he is a Graduate Teaching Assistant. At the University of Iowa, Cassius performs with the Johnson County Landmark Jazz Band and the Latin Jazz Ensemble, as well as jazz combos. Cassius currently is a member of the Steve Grismore Quartet and studies with drumset/latin percussionist James Dreier. He also plays with various local Iowa jazz artists as a freelance drummer, while also performing his original compositions with the newly formed group Groove Theory. While at Ball State, Cassius performed with the BSU Jazz Lab Ensemble, Jazz Combos, Marimba Ensemble, and Latin Ensemble. He has also performed with the Ball State Theater Department in such shows as The Full Monty, Wild Party, Songs For The New World, Nunsense, Into The Woods, The World Goes Round, Violet, Urinetown, Smokey Joe's Cafe, Pump Boys and Dinettes, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and the 2008 and 2009 New York Showcase. Cassius has also performed with the Muncie Civic Theatre in such shows as Big River and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Cassius has performed with various ensembles throughout the Midwest, New York, and Europe where he performed at the Montreux, Vienne, and Purugia Jazz Festivals. In 2008, he was the recipient of the BSU Morgy Craig Jazz Scholarship Award. Cassius has played throughout Indiana with local jazz artists Mark Buselli, Brent Wallarab, Rob Dixon, Luke Gillespie, Mike Strickland, Larry McWilliams, Frank Smith as well as many others. He is also drummer for the indie/folk rock artist Cory Hill. Cassius has also performed with world renowned jazz artists such as Chuck Finley, Buddy Defranco, Andy Martin, Marcus Printup, Karyn Allison, Don Aliquo, Wayne Bergeron, Dennis DiBlasio, Ted Nash, Michael Davis, Matt Harris, Rodrigo Ursaia, Jimmy Greene, and Andy Milne.