068 – Jamey Tate: Tough Love from Erskine, Recovering from a Professional Setback, The Good/Bad/Ugly of Smooth Jazz

L.A.based drummer Jamey Tate has been solidly busy for almost 15 years. He studied under Peter Erskine as a grad student at USC and has put Erskine’s lessons, musical and otherwise, to good use since then. He has made a name for himself touring and recording with two of the biggest names in smooth jazz, David Benoit and Mindi Abair, as well as being in demand for studio work around LA on creative and commercial projects alike. In recent years, he has also taken on other musical roles as a producer, composer/arranger, and musical director.

In this podcast, Jamey talks about:

How his first lesson with Peter Erskine set the course of his career, and one lesson he learned the hard way

His experiences in the world of smooth jazz, and what it has to offer drummers

How he bounced back professionally and psychologically after a major tour was cancelled with three days’ notice

Switching to Sakae Drums

Playing with bassist David Hughes

Expanding his career beyond just playing drums

Jamey Tate is an artist endorser for Sakae Drums, Zildjian Cymbals, Evans Drumheads and Vic Firth Drumsticks.