Bio

Simon Metzger is a jazz drummer based out of Los Angeles, California. He first fell in love with the drums at the age of three and has been seriously studying the drums since he was four years old. Simon was first introduced to jazz music at the age of ten when one of his teachers played the famous Miles Davis album “Kind of Blue” in one of their lessons. This album, along with “Smokin’ at the Half Note” by Wes Montgomery and the Wynton Kelly Trio and “MoodSwing” by Joshua Redman, was Simon’s first inspriation to seriously pursue jazz music. His musical journey of more than fifteen years has led him to study with the late Dr. Roger Schupp, students of Dr. Schupp, Dr. Olman Piedra, Dr. Daniel Piccolo, Peter Erskine, and Roy McCurdy.

While he was still in high school, Simon was also enrolled as a student at Bowling Green State University. He studied with the jazz faculty there and performed with the combos and big bands that the school offered. This program gave him the opportunity to perform in masterclasses with musicians such as Carl Allen, Tommy Igoe, Matt Wilson, Pedrito Martinez, Mike Rodriguez, Mike Stern, Dayna Stephens, Allison Miller, and Brad Shepik. He also was able to perform in concerts that featured Ben Wendel and the late Frank Kimbrough. Simon graduated with an associate degree from Bowling Green State University in 2021.

Simon is currently pursuing his bachelor’s degree in Jazz Studies at the University of Southern California where he studies with Clarence Penn. He is part of a vibrant jazz community at USC and is surrounded by extremely talented musicians. As well as participating in school-related ensembles, he is an active participant in the Los Angeles jazz scene, booking gigs and attending jam sessions. Simon was also part of an all-student band called Blue Frequencies with other members of the USC Thornton School of Music. Blue Frequencies released an EP on which he performed.