Ask pretty much any musician what kind of player they are and chances are they will tell you the same thing. “I am a groove player”, but when you finally listen to them play nine times out of ten you will find out that statement is far from correct, especially for drummers, but not for Jeremy Larochelle.
For a drummer playing in the pocket comes from one of two ways. The first is natural talent and feel for the craft. The second is experience on the road developing that craft. Ask any artist who has worked with Jeremy, especially over the last couple of years, and you will find that he possess that natural pocket and the experience required to make it work in any musical situation.
Jeremy has been playing drums as long as he can remember. The son of a local country and classic rock drummer Jeremy’s father wouldn’t let him touch a drum set until he could prove himself worthy on the snare drum alone. Through grade school and high school Jeremy practiced every day and was a member of his high school stage and marching band. After receiving his diploma he made his way to Boston to study at the famed Berklee College of Music. At Berklee Jeremy studied under jazz and funk drummers such as Jack Johnson who introduced the young artist to the natural groove and dance of the instrument. When family issues got in the way of Jeremy’s studies at Berklee he returned home to practice tirelessly while running his own successful printing and graphic design company at the mere age of twenty.
In 2005 Jeremy handed over the reins of his company to pursue his passion for music. He soon found himself managing and playing for “Masceo” an independent artist. Jeremy both managed and financed the acts self titled EP and launched a national college radio campaign that landed the group heavy airplay on close to sixty stations from Maine to Texas. This was followed up by heavy touring in the Northeast and negotiations with Bruce Flohr of RCA records for a future deal. The road proved difficult for the group and in 2007 the band disbanded despite their increasing following and label interest. This didn’t discourage Jeremy who changed gears overnight finding work in hotels and theaters throughout New England. Less than three months after the Masceo collapse Larochelle was hired for a six month contract aboard Norwegian Cruise Lines as a show band drummer. The contract put Jeremy in the driver’s seat for countless Broadway style shows and guest entertainers. After his tour finished Jeremy went on a four month sabbatical diving deeper into his instrument with the help of Berklee professor and drumming icon Kenwood Dennard. For the next year Larochelle would travel three plus hours to Boston once a month to work with his newfound mentor.
Jeremy’s intense year of studying lead to the creation of his first book “Rudimental Technique and Analysis” which teaches drummers how to use the basic rudiments to develop their technique, coordination and timing. He presented the book to Kenwood who stated “the drumming community needed an adaptation of the rudiments that was fresh and unique like Rudimental Technique and Analysis.” During his studying and book writing Jeremy landed a full time gig with a band called Flashback under the direction of casino and hotel circuit vocalist Jim Conners who played a variety of music from the 1940’s through the 90’s five nights a week throughout Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. Every Sunday he could be found playing with either his jazz quartet or swinging with the local big band. On Tuesdays Jeremy was the house drummer for the legendary “Hoot Night” open mic session under the direction of famed bassist Al Hospers of Blood Sweat and Tears and The Buddy Rich Big Band. During the day Jeremy taught at an independent music school in Conway New Hampshire called Mountain Top Music where he taught drumming to students at varied levels from the age of four to forty. Between his teaching at the school and his private studio Jeremy had over twenty students per week. On his off weeks Jeremy would head out to sea doing fill in cruise ship gigs for his longtime agent or just fill in for whoever needed a drummer in the Northeast.
Despite the increasing success of his studies with Kenwood, his book, his students and his heavy playing schedule Jeremy felt the need to press on with his musical talents and in 2009 he headed for Nashville Tennessee where he earned more "real world experience" on cruise ship gigs and land tours with various artists.
If you have the chance to work with Jeremy or just listen to him play you will find why he so easily finds work. He possesses all the tools needed for any musical style but uses them sparingly. He holds the drum chair like his mentor Kenwood with the mastery of a refined player that isn’t there to show off his amazing talents, rather lay the foundation for a great sounding band with perfect color and a deep pocket.
