Jeffrey Anthony on SoundBetter

I've spent over 22 years touring and recording with artists ranging from singer-songwriter, folk, rock, bluegrass, country, jazz, Americana, pop, and salsa bands. I've recorded on Grammy nominated records with Sheryl Crow, I'm a feature drummer on Sonoma Wire Works Drumcore, and my drumming has been heard in every corner of the world.

When people ask what excites me the most about paying the drums, I always answer “finding the perfect part for a song.” That part can be as simple as a back beat on 2 + 4 with no grace notes, some brushes creating a subtle pad on the bridge of a song, or a complicated poly-rhythmic groove. Whatever it is, if the part fits the song, it excites me.

To quote the legendary session drummer Hal Blaine “What is a song? Basically a song is a story, and you’re playing to the story. You are not playing for your own drums, or your own guitar, or your own piano. You are playing for the story, and I tell people my drumsticks are my paint brushes.” I could not think of a more succinct way to describe my approach to the drums.

Some of my favorite drummers that I listen to for inspiration these days are Matt Chamberlain, Jay Bellerose, Jim Keltner, and Stephen Hodges.

I am also a music analyst at Pandora, for over 14 years now, and have painstakingly analyzed tens of thousands of songs across every musical genre. This hyper-detailed multi-level analysis has given me a unique insight into the construction of songs.

Send me a note through the contact button above.

Credits

AllMusic verified credits for Jeff Anthony

Doug Balmain
Doug Balmain
Doug Balmain
Doug Balmain
The Wiggles
Jessica Stone
Sheryl Crow
Sheryl Crow
Michael Zapruder
Scott Fisher
Tom Varley
Tom Varley
Eric McFadden
Eric McFadden
Eric McFadden
Eric McFadden
Sheryl Crow
Sheryl Crow
Scott Fisher
Scott Fisher
Scott Fisher
Scott Fisher
Jeff Trott
Jeff Trott
Jeff Trott
Jeff Trott
Jeff Trott
Dahlia
Chuck Cheesman
Chuck Cheesman
Ben Fuller
Jenny Kerr
Shannon Bryant
Fatal Array
Fatal Array
Fatal Array
Fatal Array
Fatal Array
Fatal Array
Fatal Array
Fatal Array
Eoin Harrington

3 Reviews

Endorse Jeffrey Anthony

by Karen Feldner
Jeffrey Anthony delivers great drum tracks! He is so musical and knowledgeable. He is also very professional, and sent me great drums right away. I had a great experience working with Jeffrey. He is top notch!
by Dan Nordheim
I had a great experience working with Jeff. After recording at home in non-ideal circumstances, I wasn't sure if adding drums later would work at all, but Jeff was able to come up with the perfect parts for my songs. He was able to capture exactly what I was hoping for with professional recordings that still somehow fit the vibe of my home recording set up. He made the tracks come alive in a really exciting way. Jeff plays to the song above all else so would be a great fit for many different types of projects. I can't wait to work with him again in the future.
by Scott Fisher
Jeff is almost always my first call when I'm looking for live drums.
He is a very musical drummer and has great feel and swing. Whether it be for Rock, Pop, country or improvisational based music, Jeff Anthony has a wonderful work ethic and is always prepared.

Interview with Jeffrey Anthony

Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: I am arranging 4 of my songs for string quartet for my 1st solo EP, networking in my new city of Tucson AZ meeting musicians, and future session players to work with, preparing for a 5 week national tour with The Portland Cello Project, and currently have 3 projects I am doing remote drum tracks on as I write this.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Joe Henry I believe Joe Henry is producing some of best sounding records being made currently. Not to mention the song-craft of his own songs is truly incredible.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: play quiet with accuracy and intensity
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Singer-songwriter, folk, rock, pop, R&B, jazz, some fusion, blues shuffles, inde rock, experimental rock
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Listening
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: Here is what I don't bring, an ego. I live for the art of crafting a drum part for a song.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I like to get the tracks, import them into my DAW, get levels set, then I make a chart of the song. If the client has sent any notes about which songs, or drummers, or specific drum parts they want emulated I then listen to all of those, and take notes. Then I choose the appropriate drums for the specific track. I will mix and match drum sets if necessary, and then I place the mics, get levels and record a few passes. I don't always use the same mics, and same pre's for each track, I try and get an appropriate sound for each track. I'll send over the raw files to the client and if any revisions are requested I make those.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I am typically hired to come into the studio and provide musical drum tracks in a wide variety of styles to a click. I usually make my own charts with the provided demos, or in the studio the day of tracking. I can quickly change the approach, feel, type of fills, on the spot, making the client happy with the final result.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I have a professional remote drum tracking facility called Harbor Lighthouse Studios that I just launched. I currently offer 8 channels of high quality audio tracks through a combination of preamps such as classic API, the amazing UnderToneAudio MPDI-4, Chandler Limited TG2, and I have a rotating selection of pre's that come through my API lunch Box such as NEVE's, CAPI's, SSL
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: My favorite producer right now is Joe Henry. The sonic characteristics of the record he produces are just jaw dropping. When it comes to influential drummers currently they are Matt Chamberlain, Jay Bellerose, Jim Keltner, & Stephen Hodges.

Scott Fisher 'Who Will Save Us Now'

I was the The Drummer in this production

Live drum trackAverage price - $125 per song
ProducerAverage price - $300 per song
Pop-Rock ArrangerAverage price - $300 per song
Full instrumental productionContact for pricing
String ArrangerAverage price - $300 per song
Film ComposerContact for pricing

Turn-around in 3 business days or less. 2 revisions per song for free, paid in full before tracks delivered. Easy to work with, communicate your needs, I will respond timely.