Drummer, Jerome Jennings, keeps his words simple, but his sound impactful. Ask anyone who has ever watched him play, he owns his music. There are no wasted beats, or breaks. Every sound, every moment of silence, has a purpose. You can not hear him and not feel the intensity behind his playing. The rhythm talks to you and the conversation between sound and emotion has always been the best recipe for good music, with Jennings you get both. A native of Cleveland Ohio, Jerome grew up in a family deeply immersed in music. The sounds of musical legends echoed through the walls of his home: Miles Davis,The Temptations, Freddie Hubbard, Patrice Rushen, Grover Washington Jr., Mulgrew Miller, John McLaughlin, Steely Dan, Chick Corea, Jimi Hendrix'sBand of Gypsies, and many others. At the age of ten, Jerome signed up to play the drums in his 4th grade band and has never looked back. His evident skill and sincere appreciation of music lead Jerome to Ohio State University on a full music scholarship, where he studied with trumpeter Pharez Whitted. Soon after, he was offered an opportunity to play with legendary trombonist Slide Hampton, performing at the 2000 Indy Fest, in Indianapolis, Indiana. In 2002 he transferred to Rutgers University to complete his bachelors Degree. In 2007 Jerome received his Masters Degree from the prestigious Julliard School of Music. Through his years of undergraduate and Graduate study Jerome has worked with many acclaimed musicians who have guided and directed him along the way: Bill Ransom, Ralph Peterson, Valery Ponamarev, Carl Allen, Tony Reedus, Victor Lewis, Kenny Davis, and Lewis Nash are among those who have been a source of encouragement; helping to mold his conceptual approach to the drums. Recognized for his talent, Jerome was asked to participate in the first annual Carnegie Hall Workshop for Jazz Ensembles, resulting in a performance at Carnegie Hall. In the summer of 2003 Jerome was invited to participate in the Ravinia Festival Steans Institute for Young Artists. His love and respect for the music is undeniable. He has performed in Switzerland at the Montreaux Jazz Fest 2000, toured Toronto and Japan with Rolling Stones tenor, Tim Reis and his Rolling Stones Project, and he toured Moscow with legendary trumpeter and former Jazz Messenger Valery Ponomarev. While on tour in Moscow, the group had the opportunity to perform at the world renown Tschaykovskiy Hall. Jerome has also had the honor of touring Japan with legendary pianist Hank Jones and bassist David Finck. While in Japan the trio recorded a live DVD entitled: The Great Jazz Trio: Live at Bluenote Tokyo. In the summer of 2007, Jerome accompanied the one and only Sonny Rollins at the New Mexico Jazz Fest and later in the year, that same group completed a twenty day European tour, performing in seven countries. Jerome kicked off 2008 in Japan, performing for a week with Hank Jones again at the Tokyo Bluenote. To date Jerome has performed/recorded/toured with; Ernistine Anderson, Houston Person, Bobby Watson, Sonny Rollins, Hank Jones, Mike Philly Phillips, Gerald Wilson, Tim Reis, The Count Basie Orchestra, Sean Jones, Ray Charles, Charles Fambrough, David Schnitter, Ronnie Mathews, Sonny Simmons, Derrick Gardner, Marlon Jordan, Rufus Reid, Pharez Whitted, Leo Johnson, Brad Leali, David Baker, Valery Ponomarev, The Mingus Big Band, and many more. Weblinks: www.myspace.com/jeromejennings