| Darren Jessee | |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Darren Jessee |
| Born | April 8, 1971 |
| Genre(s) | Rock, alternative rock, acoustic |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, musician |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, piano, guitar, drums, |
| Years active | 1991 — present |
| Label(s) | Bar/None Records |
| Associated acts | Ben Folds Five Hotel Lights |
| Website | hotellights.net |
Darren Jessee (born April 8, 1971 in Houston, Texas) is the former drummer for the piano rock group Ben Folds Five.[1] He also co-wrote Ben Folds Five songs "Brick" and "Song For The Dumped", as well as writing "Magic" from The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner.
Jessee is currently in the band Hotel Lights. Hotel Lights' debut album was released in 2006 with songs featured in TV's Grey's Anatomy and Universal Studios' Baby Mama starring Tina Fey. Hotel Lights sophomore album Firecracker People was released August 19, 2008 on Bar None Records.
Contents |
Biography
Early Life pre-Ben Folds Five
Darren Jessee was born in Houston, Texas. He lived in Houston for a few years before moving around to other Texas cities such as Dallas and Fort Worth. He then moved with his family to North Carolina for Junior High and High School.[2] During this time Darren has said he was obsessed with Jazz dummers such as Elvin Jones, Max Roach, and Art Blakey. He attended College to study music for about a year and then left after not feeling it was right for him. After leaving college Darren moved to Nashville, Tennessee.[2]
Ben Folds Five Era
In 1993 Darren met Ben Folds and formed the rock group Ben Folds Five with Folds and Robert Sledge. After forming Ben Folds Five the group practiced for a few months before performing their first public show. After the group had played their first show they traveled to New York for a performance, after which they were signed to indie label Caroline Records.[2][3]Ben Folds Five went on to sign with Sony records and release their most successful album Whatever and Ever Amen. The band would later go on to play Saturday Night Live and toured consistently until 2000 when the group disbanded.
Discography
With Ben Folds Five
- Ben Folds Five (1995; Caroline Records)
- Whatever and Ever Amen (1997; Sony 550 Music)
- Naked Baby Photos (1998; Caroline Records)
- The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner (1999; Sony 550 Music)
With Hotel Lights
- Hotel Lights (2005; Bar/None Records)
- Goodnightgoodmorning (EP) (2006; Sit-n-Spin Records)
- Firecracker People (2008; Bar/None Records)
Compilation Albums
- Lounge-A-Palooza (1997; Hollywood Records)
"She Don't Use Jelly" (Flaming Lips Cover with Ben Folds Five)
- The Garden Place: Songs by Our Friends (1998; Yep Roc Records)
"The Magic That Holds the Sky Up From the Ground"
- Hello Radio: The Songs of They Might Be Giants (2006; Bar/None Records)
"The End of the Tour" (Cover with Hotel Lights)
- Compulation 3: Songs From NC (2009 Pox World Empire) cover Swingin' Party by The Replacements
Backing Other Artists
- Under Cold Blue Stars, Josh Rouse (2002; Rykodisc Records) - Drums
Songwriting Credits
Prior to his involvement with Hotel Lights, Darren Jessee received songwriting credits for the following Ben Folds Five songs:[4][5]
"Where's Summer B.?" (Ben Folds / Jessee) - Ben Folds Five
"Brick" (Folds / Jessee) - Whatever and Ever Amen
"Song for the Dumped" (Folds / Jessee) - Whatever and Ever Amen
"Kate" (Folds / Jessee / Anna Goodman) - Whatever and Ever Amen
"Mitchell Lane" (Jessee) - Whatever and Ever Amen (bonus track on remastered version)
"Magic" (Jessee) - The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner
"Amelia Bright" (Jessee) - unreleased track performed live by the band 1999-2000. This song was later featured on the Hotel Lights album Firecracker People
"Leather Jacket" (Jessee) - No Boundaries: A Benefit for the Kosovar Refugees
"Wandering" (Folds / Jessee) - Speed Graphic (EP) - note, this is a Ben Folds solo album
References
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This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (July 2008) (Find sources: Darren Jessee – news, books, scholar) |
- ^ Ben Folds Five Website
- ^ a b c Darrren Jessee Interview
- ^ [Darren is listed in the Self Titled, Whatever and Ever Amen, and The Unauthorized Biography of Reinholdmessner as a contributor to the lyrics of the albums as well as playing drums]
- ^ Joey's Guide to Ben Folds Five B-Sides and Rarities
- ^ "Darren Jessee" at allmusic.com
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