Darren Jessee | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Darren Michael Jessee |
Genres | Folk, alternative rock, lo fi acoustic |
Occupation(s) | Musician, singer-songwriter, drummer |
Instruments | Vocals, drums, timpani, piano, guitar |
Years active | 1994–present |
Labels | Sony, Bar/None |
Associated acts | Hotel Lights, Ben Folds Five, Sharon Van Etten, Hiss Golden Messenger |
Website | www |
Darren Michael Jessee is an American drummer, songwriter, singer and member of the rock bands Ben Folds Five and Hotel Lights. In 2014, Jessee joined Sharon Van Etten's touring band. He is currently touring with Hiss Golden Messenger as of September 2016.
Born in Houston, Texas, and raised in North Carolina, Jessee currently lives in Brooklyn. Ben Folds Five are known for energetic live shows and vocal harmonies. Jessee's drumming style has a strong jazz influence, from his longtime love of the genre. Referred to by WXPN's Bruce "Dan" Warren as "Ben Folds Five's secret weapon", Jessee formed Hotel Lights in 2003 after many years writing songs, playing drums, and touring in the trio. In his own band, Hotel Lights have had their songs featured in hit TV shows (Grey's Anatomy, One Tree Hill) and a major motion picture Baby Mama. The song "Sky High" written by Jessee and performed by Ben Folds Five was heard in ABC TV's Quantico.
Ben Folds, on a recent iTunes Originals compilation, credited the Jessee-penned chorus for "Brick" as the missing element to a song that he had tried to compose for a long time, remarking "I've never understood a hit chorus. I wish I did."
Darren can also be heard drumming on Josh Rouse's album Under Cold Blue Stars, released in 2002.
Ben Folds Five
Hotel Lights
Hotel Lights is the project name for songwriter Darren Jessee. Notable Jessee songwriting contributions for Ben Folds Five include: