The 4th Annual

Groove Day

presented by

South Plains College

Creative Arts Department &

Professor Phillip D. Smith, M.M.

Director of Percussion in Commercial Music

Join us for a thrilling day of rhythm, energy, and inspiration featuring special guest…

March 28th, 2026

Tom T. Hall Auditorium

1401 College Avenue

Levelland, Texas

For more information:

Professor Phillip D. Smith, M.M.

Phone: 806-716-2290

psmith@southplainscollege.edu

Creative Arts

& Professor Phillip D. Smith, M.M.

Director of Percussion in Commercial Music

Present

The 4th Annual

Groove Day

March 28, 2026

Tom T. Hall Auditorium

1401 College Avenue

Levelland, Texas

For more information:

Professor Phillip D. Smith, M.M.

Phone: 806-716-2290

Email: psmith@southplainscollege.edu

Join us for a thrilling day of rhythm, energy, and inspiration, featuring special guest…

OMAR HAKIM

Omar Hakim is an extremely successful and influential drummer bringing students and guests an amazing learning experience right here in our very own Tom T. Hall Studio

Omar Hakim is a highly influential American drummer, producer, and composer known for his versatility, precision, and deep musicality. Born in New York City in 1959, Hakim began performing professionally at a young age and quickly gained recognition for his ability to move effortlessly between jazz, rock, funk, pop, and fusion. He rose to prominence in the 1980s as the drummer for the jazz fusion band Weather Report, helping shape their modern sound. Throughout his career, Hakim has recorded and toured with legendary artists including Miles Davis, Sting, David Bowie, Madonna, Dire Straits, and Daft Punk. His drumming style blends technical mastery with groove, making him one of the most recorded and respected session drummers in modern music. Omar Hakim’s career demonstrates how rhythm, adaptability, and musical intelligence can connect multiple genres and generations.

Groove Day 2026 Schedule

9:30 am – Doors open to Tom T Hall Production Studio. Registration for door prizes

10 am – Welcome from our host, Professor Phillip Smith, Director of Percussion, South Plains College followed by drum set clinic

11 am – Omar Hakim drum set clinic

12:15 pm – break for lunch

1:30 pm – Groove Contest

3 pm – Interview/Q & A with Omar Hakim

3:30 pm – Announcement of Groove Contest winners and other door prizes

3:45 pm – Adjourn Groove Day 2025

4 pm – Omar Hakim private masterclass ($50 for students, $100 general public)

What IS Groove Day??

Groove Day is a celebration of music through the art of drumming. This unique event brings world-renowned drummers to South Plains College’s state-of-the-art venue, the Tom T. Hall Production Studio

Our featured guest, Omar Hakim, represents that elite level. One of the most recorded and respected drummers in modern music, Omar has performed and recorded with global icons including Sting, David Bowie, Madonna, Daft Punk and many others. His groundbreaking versatility spans pop, jazz, fusion, rock, and R&B at the very highest level.

When students attend Groove Day, they’re not just sitting in on a clinic — they’re learning directly from the drumming equivalent of a Super Bowl MVP. It’s world-class experience, firsthand insight, and inspiration from one of the greatest to ever sit behind the kit.

Registration for GrooveDay Contest & Private Masterclass w/Omar Hakim

Download Materials for the Groove Contest by clicking here.

Last year, we were honored to host Kenny Aronoff, who is a highly respected American drummer known for his powerful, precise playing and incredible versatility. Born in 1953, he first gained major recognition as the longtime drummer for John Mellencamp, contributing to hit songs like “Jack & Diane” and “Hurts So Good.” Aronoff is celebrated for his strong sense of groove, endurance, and ability to adapt across genres including rock, pop, country, and even orchestral projects. Over his career, he has worked with major artists such as Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, and Lady Gaga, earning a reputation as one of the most in-demand session drummers in the music industry.

Groove Day has also had the privilege to host Sonny Emory and John “JR” Robinson. This Event is truly unique in this region, appealing to students and professional musicians across all genres. We are unaware of any similar event in this area that combines world-class education with a competition, where participants are adjudicated and mentored by some of the most revered musicians in the industry. For future contests, we plan to award scholarships to student winners. Adult winners will have the choice of scholarships or prizes provided by our corporate sponsors!