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JESSE J. SMITH As a young child born and raised in Paterson New Jersey, Jesse had an obsession for bashing on everything that he could (including his own head). By the age of eight Jesse had begun to focus his obsession on the drums. After many years of drum lessons, playing in the school band and spending countless hours behind the kit, Jesse was introduced to the complexity and power of heavy metal. When Jesse was 17 his family moved to the island of Kauai (in Hawaii) where Jesse would get a full time job, skateboard, and hone his drumming powers in his new out door shed (as well as work on his tan). Listening to such players as Tommy Aldridge, Scott Travis, Nick Menza, Tommy Lee, and Blas Elias, Jesse had saved up enough money to buy his first double kick kit, and started jamming progressive metal with some of his friends. By the age of 19 Jesse had moved to Seattle to pursue a career in music, and showcased his talents in miscellaneous bands such as “Indika” and “This Damn Box” but had yet to find musicians of his caliber. After many years of playing the Seattle scene, Jesse (answering a “drummer wanted” ad in the local music magazine) auditioned and joined the band Saqqara*. The chemistry was perfect from the first jam session, it was as if Jesse had been a member of the band his whole life. In October of ’98 the band headed to London Bridge studios where Jesse would complete his drum tracks for the ten-song Saqqara demo in a day and a half (as well as bust three brand new drum heads, two cymbals and countless sticks). The recording has since earned Jesse endorsements with Aquarian Accessories (Heads), Kit Tools (Sticks), Sabian Cymbals (thank God!) and most recently Slug Percussion Products (Bass Drum Beaters and Batter Badges). Jesse’s endorsement roster seems to be growing larger by the week. Very technical and articulate, Jesse is one of the more creative players of today’s Metal scene. Jesse’s combination of melodic tom phrasing, intricate cymbal work and raw power gives Saqqara its unique rhythmic sound and brings the emotional intensity to a new level. Jesse’s drumming earned him a mention in the Dec. ’99 news section of Modern Drummer magazine. They also featured Jesse in the On The Move section (Feb. 2000) along with his stick company (Kit Tools) doing a quarter page ad featuring him. *See more about Saqqara on the included band biography
MY GEAR....... |
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