Jason McGerr has worked steadily as a performer and educator both regionally and across the US.  He is a member of the internationally-known band Death Cab For Cutie.  He is also a busy session player, engineer, studio drum tech, and side man working with independent and major label artists who are nationally recognized in various genres of music.

In addition to his busy schedule as a player, McGerr has been a core staff member and private instructor at The Seattle Drum School of Music. He holds a steady clientele of forty to fifty students each week ranging in ages from 4 to 60, from beginners to advanced players, including local and touring professionals. He and his expertise have been requested for clinics at schools and local music stores and as one of the recognized judges for the annual Guitar Center Drum Off Regional Finals.

McGerr’s primary music education began in 1992 as a student at The Seattle Drum School where he studied with owner Steve Smith. “Steve taught me a great deal about his many systems of independence. He also taught me how to teach myself…and now I teach at his school because I believe in his curriculum.”  But before returning as a teacher McGerr sought out further instruction in the area of technique from John Fisher, a North American Solo Drum Champion, and internationally-honored clinician and performer from Vancouver, B.C.  Fisher was a member of the Shotts and Dykehead Scottish Pipe band lead by Alex Duthert through several World Championships. McGerr studied with Fisher consistently for 3 years and still visits him on occasion. “John Fisher showed me how to economize my stick motions and really dig deep into what’s going on with the hands.”

Another teacher who made a great impression on his playing style is Jim Kilpatrick from Glasgow, Scotland. He is a World Solo Drumming Champion and holds 13 individual titles and 12 band titles as leader of the Shotts & Dykehead Pipe Band, 11 of which are consecutive. McGerr attended one of his many distinguished schools that he teaches abroad and enjoyed some very thorough private and group instruction in Scottish Drumming.