Born into a musical family, Jake Widgeon is originally from Montgomery, Alabama, but he also lived in Los Angeles for ten years before making the move to Asheville.  He began learning to play drums at a young age, and received formal training in concert percussion and theory at an advanced arts magnet school at the age of 12.  At that time, Jake rose to the level of first chair percussionist and all-state soloist, as well as receiving several awards.  He continued to study music and focus on the drum set at Booker T. Washington Magnet High School. While at BTW, a nationally acclaimed inner-city magnet school for the arts, he received comprehensive training, primarily in jazz and music theory.  There he kept a very busy performance schedule with the school jazz ensemble, including a performance at Carnegie Hall.  Jake was also a percussionist for the Montgomery Youth Orchestra, and performed in clubs throughout Alabama for several years in his father’s rock and roll band, as well as his own jazz trio.  Jake has also studied jazz at the Manhattan School of Music.

In 1998, he moved to Los Angeles, where he continued to pursue his musical interests.  In addition to performing and recording music, Jake worked for Yamaha Guitars in the area of artist relations, and began to teach private drum lessons as well as ensemble rock classes.  Jake and his wife moved to Asheville in 2009, and since then he has performed with several great acts around Asheville including Nikki Talley, the Whappers, and The Clouds of Greer, who just performed at Bele Chere 2011.  Jake’s drumming style is influenced by the great drummers of rock, soul, and jazz music.  Among his favorites are Levon Helm, Ringo Starr, John Bonham, Al Jackson, Jr., Steve Jordan, Steve Gadd, Roy Haynes, and Elvin Jones.    

LESSONS WITH JAKE:

I like to make music lessons fun, engaging, and goal-oriented.  I am extremely patient and enjoy helping each student discover music in his or her own way.  I divide the lesson up into sections of important basics, and song study.  Students will be taught to read music notation, and will learn the fundamental techniques to take them wherever they want to go in the field of percussion, wether it’s the school band and orchestral route, or rocking out on the drum set with friends.  I like to talk with students about their favorite bands and drummers to help tailor the lessons to fit their particular interests.  It is important to me that students get a feel for the drummer’s role in the band, and learn how to be a team player and perform as part of a group.  For this reason, I will often jam with students during the lesson, joining them on guitar or bass.  This performance based method is not only fun, but very efficient and effective in learning songs on the drums.  We will even make recordings in the class for you to take home and track your progress.  Come on down and let the jamming begin!

TESTIMONIALS:

My daughter started taking Drum lessons from Jake Widgeon when she was 10 years old and just loved being taught by him! She learned so much from him and he was an excellent, gifted instructor who is very kind and fun to be around......Jake is a really special teacher and I highly recommend him to any one who wants to learn how to play the drums!

K. Zielinski

Los Angeles, California

I have known Jake for five years, during which time he taught my son guitar and drums. Throughout this time I have come to know Jake as a mature, hard-working, responsible, conscientious person. As a teacher, he was patient and methodical; at the same time his passion for music encouraged my son to explore different musical directions. But what probably impressed me most about Jake is that he is a genuinely good-hearted and honest person. As a teacher, he became a role model for my son --- my wife and I always thought it was good for John, our son, to be around a young man who is creative and artistic, yet is also responsible and has his priorities well-established.

John Dullaghan

Los Angeles, California