A Drummer Was Created...
..JT-Smooth
JT during the Crane's Roost Art Festival in Altamonte Springs, FL.
Born and raised in the heart of Kansas City, JT began his drumming career at his father's church. Always apt to stop what he was doing to listen to the church's current drummer, JT could feel the talent stirring inside him. One day after church, he picked up the drumsticks, began to play...and hasn't stopped since.
At the age of 20, JT met his mentor Marc McIntosh, the leader of the bands Fait Bon and Mo Betta. Unaware of JT's talents, Marc allowed him to try out with the band...and was HIGHLY impressed. He then became a permanent fixture in the group for three years, even performing with them when they opened for Parliament and ConFUNKshun. After an exciting journey with the bands in Kansas City, JT decided it was time for him to explore the rest of the world. First stop: Orlando, FL!
Upon moving to the Sunshine State, JT joined up with the band 2EEZ, now known as The Franchise Players. He has been a consistent player for the group while they perform weekend gigs at Jazz Tastings in Maitland and The Legendary Why Not Lounge in Altamonte Springs. Always on the move, JT has also played with them at several jazz festivals and opened up for national acts such as Cameo, Marion Meadows, and Paul Taylor.
Forever focusing on the next move, JT decided it was time to create something of his own. In May of 2012, he created the jazz band The Dudes as a creative release for him and his fellow musician, Christian Russell. Playing at venues such as Jazz Tastings, the band is becoming another profitable music venture for the drummer. Recently, JT joined up with the Franchise Players' bass player, John Toney, to form Jazz Tastings' very own house band, The Jazz Tastings (or "JT") Quartet. Along with the bands in Orlando, JT decided it was time to get back to his drummer roots and brought the band Mo Betta from Kansas City to play in Orlando. Now, it's all about music for Mr. JT-Smooth; fulfilling his creative dreams, one gig at a time.
At the age of 20, JT met his mentor Marc McIntosh, the leader of the bands Fait Bon and Mo Betta. Unaware of JT's talents, Marc allowed him to try out with the band...and was HIGHLY impressed. He then became a permanent fixture in the group for three years, even performing with them when they opened for Parliament and ConFUNKshun. After an exciting journey with the bands in Kansas City, JT decided it was time for him to explore the rest of the world. First stop: Orlando, FL!
Upon moving to the Sunshine State, JT joined up with the band 2EEZ, now known as The Franchise Players. He has been a consistent player for the group while they perform weekend gigs at Jazz Tastings in Maitland and The Legendary Why Not Lounge in Altamonte Springs. Always on the move, JT has also played with them at several jazz festivals and opened up for national acts such as Cameo, Marion Meadows, and Paul Taylor.
Forever focusing on the next move, JT decided it was time to create something of his own. In May of 2012, he created the jazz band The Dudes as a creative release for him and his fellow musician, Christian Russell. Playing at venues such as Jazz Tastings, the band is becoming another profitable music venture for the drummer. Recently, JT joined up with the Franchise Players' bass player, John Toney, to form Jazz Tastings' very own house band, The Jazz Tastings (or "JT") Quartet. Along with the bands in Orlando, JT decided it was time to get back to his drummer roots and brought the band Mo Betta from Kansas City to play in Orlando. Now, it's all about music for Mr. JT-Smooth; fulfilling his creative dreams, one gig at a time.