Kevin Peter Jones

Like many musicians who are fascinated by the many facets of the field, Kevin Peter Jones is a drummer, composer, producer and music educator. He not only plays music – he makes it take place. Kevin began jazz drumming at the age of 10 in Chicago. By the time he was 16 he had met both Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich and performed with saxophonist Bunky Green and at the Oak Lawn Jazz Festival. Later he moved to Sacramento, where he played with the John Skinner Band, in the Berkeley Jazz Festival, and with renowned jazz pianist Roger Smith, as well as Bernard Wright and Wayman Tisdale. He also wrote, arranged and produced TV and radio spots, concerts, and even a Yellowjackets performance. He moved to Los Angeles for a number of years of writing, playing and producing, and then to Washington, DC, where he has performed with artists ranging from the Georgetown University Concert Orchestra to Dave Brubeck.

Kevin has produced a contemporary jazz CD featuring numerous Grammy Award winning musicians from Pieces of a Dream, Spyro Gyra, and the Yellowjackets, and has more exciting productions in the works currently. We were thrilled that he chose one of our snares for his performance with his contemporary jazz group at the NAMM Show 2011 as well as at LA's the Baked Potato. Throughout it all, he passes along his knowledge and experience by teaching young drummers their craft. We think Kevin is a great example that drummers truly are complete musicians.