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Jason Harnell
Member Since: 2019 | Location: Los Angeles | Page Views: 1,460 
About Me
Jason Harnell is a master jazz drummer, educator, composer & bandleader whose unmistakable sound & style, as well as his boundless creativity & enthusiasm have made him a major contributor to the Southern California jazz scene for over 36 years.
Jason Harnell is a Los Angeles–based jazz drummer, vocalist, composer, educator, and creative force whose distinctive sound and style have made a lasting impression on audiences around the world. Renowned for his musicality, versatility, and fearless approach to improvisation, Jason moves effortlessly between straight-ahead jazz and the avant-garde, drawing deeply from tradition while continually pushing toward something fresh and uniquely his own. Born into a musical family, Jason began playing drums at the age of six, studying under legendary drummers Louie Bellson and Shelly Manne. At 22, he launched his professional touring career with renowned trumpeter Maynard Ferguson and the Big Bop Nouveau band. Throughout his career, Jason has performed, recorded, and toured with many of the world’s leading jazz artists, including Kei Akagi, Theo Bleckmann, Steve Cardenas, Dave Douglas, Alan Ferber, Larry Goldings, Rick Margitza, Kate McGarry, Ben Monder, Alan Pasqua, Walter Smith III, Mark Turner, and Ben Wendel. He is also a longtime member of the esteemed Los Angeles Jazz Quartet, alongside Larry Koonse, Chuck Manning, and Darek Oles. A major contributor to the Southern California jazz scene for more than three decades, Jason has maintained a celebrated monthly residency at the world-famous Baked Potato in Studio City for more than 20 years. The consistently sold-out performances showcase some of the finest jazz musicians from Los Angeles, New York, and beyond. In 2017, Jason launched his most ambitious creative project to date: the Jason Harnell Solo Drum Experience. His live solo drum concerts are immersive, multimedia performances that explore rhythm, sound, movement, and visual expression in a completely original and personal way. His critically acclaimed solo albums, Total Harnage (2019) and Harnology (2023), extend that vision into genre-defying works of sonic art that challenge conventional ideas and reveal the drums as a limitless vehicle for musical expression. Jason is also one of the most sought-after drum set educators in the field. He has served on the faculty at the University of California, Irvine (2004–present) and California State University, Northridge (2019–present), and was on the faculty at Musicians Institute in Hollywood from 2005–2020. He has presented clinics, workshops, and master classes throughout the United States and internationally. Jason proudly endorses Yamaha Drums, Aquarian Drumheads, and Vic Firth Drumsticks.
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This page was last updated on 2026-09-29.
