Drummer Mekhi Boone is the youngest of six children of Philadelphia jazz bassist and Temple University Professor Mike Boone and gospel singer and choir director Candi’ce Hinmon-Boone. Mekhi resides in North Wilmington and is in his first year as a jazz performance major at Temple University’s Boyer College of Music and Dance, where he studies with drummer Justin Faulkner.
Mekhi is a regular fixture at Chris’ Jazz Cafe in Philadelphia, where he sits in on the weekly Monday night jam sessions and plays in the late-night house band on Fridays and most Saturdays. At his church in Middletown, DE, Mekhi served as a drummer from age 13, and later as musical director on piano. He now serves on piano at Ezion Fair Baptist Church in Wilmington.
Mekhi has performed on stage with Joey DeFrancesco, Duane Eubanks, Orrin Evans, Frank McComb, Bootsie Barnes, Larry McKenna, Pablo Batista, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Gerald Veasley, Ben Vereen, Samara Joy, and many others. Mekhi has also been featured on albums by his father.
Artvolution of Philadelphia awarded Mekhi its Future Masters of the Music award, and he also received the Junior Global Leadership Award from the National Council of Black Women. In 2022, he was awarded The Clifford Brown Young and Swinging Award, and in 2024, Mekhi was selected to attend the Vail Jazz Workshop on a full scholarship.
Mekhi is mentored by drummers Lil John Roberts and Marcus Baylor.
10 Questions with Mekhi Boone:
1. What do you like to listen to?
Contemporary gospel music or modern jazz.
2. Who are some musicians or bands that have influenced your playing?
John Coltrane Quartet, The Smoogies, and Tye Tribbett & G.A.
3. What was one thing about your instrument that surprised you when you started learning to play?
The fact that I was able to play quiet and musically instead of just beats.
4. What’s your favorite thing about Philadelphia?
The musical history and just the vibe of being in the city.
5. What are your favorite kinds of ensembles to play in?
Small ensembles like jazz quartets or quintets.
6. What is your process for practicing?
I usually just sit down with more basic stuff like rudiments, then proceed to just play until I notice something I’m having trouble with.
7. What or who do you consider to be your musical community?
Philadelphia is my music community. Everyone has each other’s back, and it’s just overall a family kind of vibe.
8. What advice would you give your 9-year-old self?
That being complacent in your comfort zone kills your dreams. In order to be comfortable, you have to be uncomfortable first.
9. What have been some differences between your musical experiences in high school and college as you start your freshman year?
Well, the main difference is that everyone has that same hunger and desire to get better in college. A lot of people were just in music to “get by” in high school.
10. Do you have any advice for people just getting started on an instrument
Play what you feel!
