Jason has worked steadily for the past 15 years as a performer
and educator both regionally and across the US. He has been touring as a member of the
internationally known band Death Cab For Cutie in recent months and is featured
on their fourth full length album titled Transatlanticism, due out in October 2003.
He has also been very involved as a session player, engineer, studio drum tech and side
man working with independent and major label artist that are nationally recognized in
various genres of music.
In addition to his busy schedule as a player, Jason has been a core
staff member and private instructor at The Seattle Drum School of Music for the
past 7 years. He holds a steady cliental of forty to fifty students each week ranging
in ages 4 to 60 years old, beginners to advanced players, including local and touring
professionals. His expertise has been requested for clinics at schools and local music
stores and to be one of the recognized judges for the annual Guitar Center Drum Off
Regional Finals.
Jason’s primary music education can be attributed to becoming a
student at The Seattle Drum School in 1992 where he studied with owner Steve Smith.
"Steve taught me a great deal about his many systems of independence. He also taught
me how to teach myself….. And now I teach at his school because I believe in his curriculum".
But before returning as a teacher he sought out further instruction in the area of technique
from John Fisher, a North American Solo Drum Champion, and internationally honored clinician
and performer from Vancouver, B.C. John was a member of the Shotts and Dykehead Scottish
Pipe band lead by Alex Duthert through several World Championships. Jason studied with
John consistently for 3 years and still visits him on occasion. "John Fisher showed me
how to economize my stick motions and really dig deep into what’s going on with the hands."
Another teacher who has made a great impression on his playing style
is Jim Kilpatrick from Glasgow, Scotland. He is the current World Solo Drumming Champion,
holds 13 individual titles and 12 band titles as leader of the Shotts & Dykehead Pipe Band,
11 of which are consecutive. Jason attended one his many distinguished schools that he
teaches abroad and enjoyed some very thorough private and group instruction in Scottish Drumming.
On the last day of school he asked Jim to sign the back of his practice pad and Jim, happy to
do so, wrote "Great Hands" next to his autograph.
Sample some of Jason's work here:
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