Pulse has a renowned list of high profile experts, Many of whom have interesting and varied careers, who regularly lecture on our courses. In this section of our news letter we aim to delve into their background to get tips on how to succeed in the professional environment.
Irish born drummer and renowned self taught session musician Jason Duffy has been playing music from the tender age of the age of 11. He has toured extensively with internationally acclaimed Irish artists such The Corrs, Michael Flatley, Bono, Sharon Shannon, Niamh Kavanagh, The Waterboys, Imelda May, Damian Dempsey, Sharon Corr and many many more. His career highlights include playing drums for the world famous and technically challenging “Lord of the Dance” tour. Jason is internationally considered as one of the greatest drummers to come out of Ireland. His master classes are a unique and fascinating experience for any Pulse student. We are delighted to get an insight into his successful career as a session musician
1. Your main work would be as a session musician. Can you explain what this entails?
You get called to do various different styles of music and you get to play with some amazing artists. The styles can range from playing on a movie sound track to playing on an album and everything in between really.
2. You’re a self taught musician, playing since the tender age of 11. How did you get started?
My father and elder brothers were musicians and there was always music in the house. I was going to gigs from an early age and it just started from there I guess.
3. To reach this level of skill requires amazing discipline. What keeps you motivated?
I love what I do and I’ve always wanted to do the best that I could on the instrument. I still practice and I’m still learning to this day and hopefully that will continue.
4. What are your musical influences?
Anything from Motown to Jazz to Latin, rock music, blues. I like all styles of music. I like a lot of different styles and a lot of drummers in particular. Some of the drummers would be Buddy Rich, Steve Gadd, Carlos Vega, and Vinnie Coluita.
5. You left school at 17 to play full time. It must have been quite a difficult choice, what prompted this decision?
I had already been playing gigs since the age of 14 so it was a natural progression to start playing music full time as that’s what I knew I wanted to do.
6. You have gone on to work with some of Ireland’s most renowned and diverse artists; from Damien Dempsey, Imelda May to Sharron Shannon. What was that like?
These guys are great to work for. I like a challenge of different styles and all these guys differ in their styles.
7. You come from the Duffy dynasty, Ireland’s most famous circus family. Not many people may be aware that they are renowned for being great musicians. Tell us about this fascinating legacy.
My father, the late Arthur Duffy and his brothers played music in the circus whilst performing also. In the wintertime during circus downtime they went out playing gigs. So there’s always been music in my family, going back a long time.
8. What has been your career highlight to date?
There have been many including playing with The Corrs and Bono at the G8 summit, playing with Michael Flatley from Madison Square Garden’s to Hyde Park, playing 25 nights sold-out with Michael Flatley in Wembley Arena. These are but a few highlights and I hope to have many more. I’ve been lucky.
9. You are always the lecturers’ first choice for the drum classes. What do you enjoy most about the teaching process?
I enjoy sharing whatever knowledge I have to help people who love music.
10. If students just left your class with one piece of knowledge, what would that be?
Keep an open mind and listen to as much music as possible.
11. You just got back from St Patrick Day’s in Dubai where you were playing with Sharron Corr. What future projects have you in the pipeline?
I play various festivals and shows over the summer with Sharon Shannon and Sharon Corr. I am currently working on a few studio projects that will be released next year. I’m also set to play at the Irish guitar festival in Drogheda on April 17th with Jimmy Smith and some of the world’s renowned guitar players I am really looking forward to that.
12. What is the most useful bit of advice you can give to Pulse College Graduates embarking on the career?
Just go for it and be positive.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
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