Jason Harnell

Jazz Drummer/Educator

Born 11/10/69 in Philadelphia,PA

Lived in Philadelphia from 69-73; Los Angeles, CA from 73-80; St. Petersburg, FL from 80-90; and Los Angeles, CA 90-presesnt.

Coming from a musical family, Jason Harnell started playing the drums at the very ripe old age of six, when long-time friend of the family, Louie Bellson, gave Jason his first real drumset.  Jason's father, Joe Harnell (8/2/24 - 7/14/05), was a highly respected pianist, composer, and arranger who's credits ranged from musical director for Peggy Lee, to on-camera M.D. on the Mike Douglas Show, to composing music for such television series as "The Incredible Hulk."  Jason's mother, Margaret Crockett (born 6/30/35),  is a very gifted singer who has performed with Dick Hyman, Paul Whiteman, and Hank Jones.  Jason has three brothers: Jess (born 12/23/63), who's one of the top voice actors in Los Angeles; Joel (born 3/1/62), who's a keyboard player in the Tampa area; and Jeff (1/13/58-5/25/01). 

In 1994, Jason married Sara Lawrance, his high school sweetheart.  They've been happily married ever since.

While in High School (Jason attended Seminole High School in Seminole, FL), he was actively involved in all of the music programs including jazz band, concert band, marching band, and percussion ensemble. He was also in the Suncoast Sound Drum & Bugle Corps. for a short while.  Jason was awarded several superior ratings at solo/ensemble contests and was the section leader of the high school drumline.  During his senior year, the drumline was awarded best percussion awards at several competitions and was touted as the best in Florida that year.  He went on to compose, arrange, and teach drumline at local high schools in and around Pinellas County, Florida and was teaching privately by this time as well.

Over the course of his life, Jason has had some great teachers including: Hank Bellson 76-79 in L.A., Shelly Manne 1977 in L.A., Lou Vadala 82-84 in St. Petersburg, Tom Glaister 86-88 in St. Petersburg, Bob McCormick 89-90 in Tampa, FL, Joe Porcaro 89-90 in L.A., Vinnie Colaiuta 1990 in L.A., Dick Wilson 90-91 in L.A., Wally Snow 92-93 and again 97-00 in L.A., Dave Weckl  94-95 in L.A., Jeff Hamilton on and off from 95-99 in L.A., Bruce Becker 00-01 in L.A., Joe LaBarbara in 2002 in L.A., and Larry Goldings in 2002 in L.A.

From 89-90, Jason attended the University of South Florida and studied under Chuck Owen as a jazz performance major.  

Since moving to Los Angeles in 1990, Jason has been very active as a perfomer and has become one of the most sought after drummers on the West Coast.  A partial list of the artists he has collaborated with include: Kei Akagi, Joe Bagg, Sheryl Bailey, John Beasley, Steve Cardenas, Jay Clayton, Steve Cotter, Dave Carpenter, Lea DeLaria, Tony Dumas,  Maynard Ferguson, Keith Ganz, David Goldblatt, Shelia Jordan, Nancy Kelly, Larry Koonse, Bob Maize, Kate McGarry, Ryan McGillicuddy, MOSS (Theo Bleckman, Lauren Kinhan, Peter Eldridge), Josh Nelson, Darek Oles, Matt Otto, Bill Perkins, Jack Reilly, Reuben Rogers, Jamie Rosenn, Jack Sheldon, Bob Sheppard, Andy Simpkins, Ron Stout, Leonard Thompson, Steve Tavaglione, Gary Versace, Tom Warrington, Bill Watrous, Ben Wendel, Anthony Wilson, and Rick Zunigar.   

With these and many other artists, Jason has recorded and performed hundreds of concerts throughout America, Europe and Asia.  Jason's documented performances (CDs) include: JoE-LeSs ShOe (2007), Kimberly Ford: Songs in the Key of Sea (2007), Matt Otto: Intellection (2005), Lulee Fisher: Get Happy (2005), Steve Venz: Scoop (2004),  Robert Kyle: Northern Roads (2003), Lulee Fisher: In Love Again (2002); Bill Fulton: Time (2001); Jonathan Dane: From All Sides (2000), Kenny Kotwitz: Self titled (2000), Keiko Matsui: Light Above the Trees (1999-video), Robert Kyle: Blue Winds (1999), Mark Chosak: Perception (1998), Four Feet Down: The Fire Between Us (1998), Robert Van: Penumbra (1997), Debby Yeager: Mood Swings (1996), Robert Kyle: That Other Place (1996), Maynard Ferguson: These Cats Can Swing (1994), Charlie Lustman: The Golden Road (1994), Steady Fready: Collective Cuts (1993), The University of South Florida Jazz Ensemble I: Suncoast '90 (1990).  He has also recorded for  Verizon, Cheeto’s, Chili’s Restaurant, "Beverly Hills 90210,"Nissan, the Houston Chronicle, "Married with Children", Suntory Royal Whisky, and the WB Cartoon "Poochini”.

These days Jason maintains a busy teaching schedule as well.  He is currently on faculty at University California Irvine as jazz drum instructor and has been since 2005.  He also teaches at the Musicians Institute (P.I.T.) in Hollywood where he instructs private students as well as teaching a class of his own design entitled "Bebop and Beyond:Developing Musical Creativity on the Drum Set. 

Jason has been profiled in several publications such as Modern Drummer Magazine 6/94,7/94, 9/00, DRUM Magazine, the L.A. Jazz Scene, and National Drum Association 6/94 and endorses Yamaha Drums, Bosphorus Cymbals, Remo Drumheads, Vic Firth Drumsticks and Rhythm Tech Percussion Products.