JAY SMITH

about

Jay Smith, a Southern California native, sites his musical influences from former instructors like Chuck Flores, Glen Sobel, Andrew Megna, Rob Carson and Jim Chapin. After attending the Musicians Institute's P.I.T. program, he established himself drumming for American Idol's Season 3 finalist, Matt Rogers. Jay has performed with artists such as Mercy Killers, Amanda Kate, Phil Collin (Def Leppard), Matthew Ward, Me and the Captain, Fangs on Fur, among others. His touring credentials feature support for acts like Iron Maiden, Blink-182, Jimmy Eat World, Queensryche, Rob Halford, Green Day and more with performances broadcast live on MTV. Jay's work includes, musical contributions writing and recording for the popular Los Angeles station KROQ's "The Kevin and Bean Show" and has an original song in the Movie “Riding in Vans with Boys." From cruise ship and musical theater performances, Jay has proven his versatility. Currently, he's touring the nation on "The Back in Time Tour," celebrating the music of Huey Lewis and the News with 'The Heart of Rock and Roll' with notable recent performances at Daryl's House in New York and the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. Alongside his performance schedule, he remains a dedicated and sought-after teacher.

Jay proudly uses gear from the following companies:

Sonor I Meinl I Meinl Stick and Brush I Remo I Drum Workshop I Gruv Gear

Events

Upcoming Events

TitleDateLocation
Middletown Fest, KY06 Sep 2025Middletown, KY, USA
Oglebay Festival, WV13 Sep 2025Wheeling, WV, USA
Hot Springs Village, AR18 Sep 2025Hot Springs, AR, USA
Texas City, TX20 Sep 2025Texas City, TX, USA
The Big Barn, TX21 Sep 2025The Woodlands, TX, USA
Escondido, CA01 Oct 2025Escondido, CA, USA
Escondido, CA08 Oct 2025Escondido, CA, USA
New Braunfels, TX11 Oct 2025New Braunfels, TX, USA
Escondido, CA15 Oct 2025Escondido, CA, USA
Escondido, CA22 Oct 2025Escondido, CA, USA
Escondido, CA29 Oct 2025Escondido, CA, USA

Past Events

TitleDateLocation
Fulton County Fairground, OH30 Aug 2025Wauseon, OH, USA
Gaslamp, CA02 Aug 2025Long Beach, CA, USA
Tacoma, WA27 Jul 2025Tacoma, WA, USA
Sutherlin, OR24 Jul 2025Sutherlin, OR, USA
Heber City, UT22 Jul 2025Heber City, UT, USA
Red Stone Theater, UT21 Jul 2025Kanab, UT, USA
Rochester, New York16 Jul 2025Rochester, NY, USA
Morgantown, WV11 Jul 2025Morgantown, WV, USA
Delavan, Wisconsin03 Jul 2025Delavan, Wisconsin, USA
Delavan, Wisconsin02 Jul 2025Delavan, WI, USA
WOODSTOCK, GEORGIA31 May 2025Woodstock, GA, USA
NASHVILLE TN28 May 2025Nashville, TN, USA
Collingwood, ON (Canada)24 May 2025Collingwood, ON, Canada
RIVIERA THEATER23 May 2025North Tonawanda, NY, USA
GREENSBURG PENNSYLVANIA22 May 2025Greensburg, Pennsylvania, USA
ICONIC 2! THE MUSICAL 3 PM AND 8PM!!17 May 2025Irvine, CA, USA
SCOTTSDALE ARIZONA03 May 2025Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
SCOTTSDALE ARIZONA02 May 2025Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
Elizabethtown, KY25 Apr 2025Elizabethtown, KY, USA
RIVERSIDE CASINO20 Apr 2025Laughlin, NV, USA
RIVERSIDE CASINO19 Apr 2025Laughlin, NV, USA
RIVERSIDE CASINO18 Apr 2025Laughlin, NV, USA
RIVERSIDE CASINO17 Apr 2025Laughlin, NV, USA
RIVERSIDE CASINO16 Apr 2025Laughlin, NV, USA
SUNLAND SPRINGS19 Mar 2025Mesa, AZ, USA
AMERISTAR CASINO15 Mar 2025Vicksburg, MS, USA
COACH HOUSE20 Feb 2025San Juan Capistrano, CA, USA
CCOC with the RNJ JAZZ TRIO14 Feb 2025Costa Mesa, CA, USA
LAS PALMAS GRAND08 Feb 2025Mesa, AZ, USA
OAKWOOD COUNTRY CLUB05 Feb 2025Sun Lakes, AZ, USA
THE GARDENS AT EL PASEO25 Jan 2025Palm Desert, CA, USA
HOLLYWOOD CASINO18 Jan 2025Toledo, OH, USA
THE BACK IN TIME TOUR 202501 Jan 2025USA AND CANADA!
ANAHEIM, CA WITH GREENBRIER LANE14 Dec 2024Anaheim, CA, USA
HARRAHS CASINO30 Nov 2024Laughlin, NV, USA
HARRAHS CASINO29 Nov 2024Laughlin, NV, USA
CIRCUS OF MONSTERS THE MUSICAL!01 Nov 2024Irvine, CA, USA
CIRCUS OF MONSTERS THE MUSICAL!31 Oct 2024Irvine, CA, USA
THE GRAND RITZ THEATER20 Oct 2024301 East Grand Avenue, Escondido, CA, USA
FANTASY SPRINGS RESORT AND CASINO18 Oct 202484 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio, CA, USA
Live on GOOD MORNING SAN DIEGO!06 Oct 2024San Diego, CA, USA
ISLAND RESORT and CASINO HARRIS MICHIGAN04 Oct 2024W 399 US 2 & 41 HARRIS, MI
HOLLYWOOD BOWL with Abba The Concert!!20 Sep 2024Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA, USA
DARYL'S HOUSE18 Aug 2024Pawling, NY, USA

Education

Where Learning Takes Center Stage.

JAY SMITH

With over 15 years of professional experience, Jay passionately teaches a comprehensive drumming curriculum. He covers music reading, technique, and diverse styles, specializing in working with special needs children, particularly those on the autism spectrum. Group classes and online courses are available.

Testimonials

     

We enthusiastically recommend Jay as a drum teacher. His expertise, talent and patience promotes a love of music and learning in his students. Our son looks forward to his lessons every week!" - Les and Bob M

     

"Jay has been teaching our son drum lessons for two years now. We have noticed that Jay has many talents to interact with and encourage his students to learn how to play the drums for fun and enjoyment. He has an enthusiastic and charismatic personality that his students like. Our son enjoys taking the drum lessons with Jay. Our son has been thriving in his drum skills every lesson. As parents, we are fortunate to have Jay for our son’s drum instructor. If you are looking for the Best Drum Instructor for your children, we strongly recommend Jay." - Mike and Jen Crenton

     

"Sara has been taking lessons with Jay for over a year. She has learned how to read drum music and is playing songs. She enjoys Jay’s teaching style and it shows in her enthusiasm to continue her lessons and learn move. We would highly recommend Jay to anyone." - Connie Dean

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