Dee

Danielle “Dee Simone” Thompson attended Musicians Institute in Hollywood, CA from 2010-2012, earning an Associates of Arts degree in Percussion Performance. She studied under Fred Dinkins (Musical Director for The Emotions & Deniece Williams), Donny Gruendler (MI Curriculum Editor, MD for Rhett Frazier Inc.) as well as Stewart Jean, (Assistant head of the Drum Department, and the West Coast Music Agency); gaining advanced knowledge and skills in harmony, theory, odd meter and rhythm techniques.

Ms. Thompson’s experience spans from 2007 to the present, working with various artists, including: Jayla Darden (Interscope R&B Artist), The Voice Live Semi-Final Top 8 Performance, (Smooth Jazz artists): Jazz In Pink (all female jazz ensemble), Maysa, Jessy J, Nils, Kandace Springs, (R&B artists): The Honey Cone, Miki Howard & Nona Hendrix, Mereba, & Solange Knowles. (Hip Hop / R&B artists): Iman Omari, Little Dragon, Lady Rho & ill Camille. (Country artist): Lily Meola. (Gospel artists): Allywon Price, Greater Zion Church Family, J Kingdom, and (Pop / Rock artists): Thomas King, Inglorious, & J. Ovanni.

She has performed at some of LA’s most notable venues: Playboy Jazz Festival, Hollywood Bowl, LA Live, Palm Springs Women’s Jazz Festival, Soul Train Cruise, CAMI Japan Battle of the Bands Competition 2007, including recordings with Shanachie artist, Jazz in Pink and the Bay Area Studio CD recording: “Vitabeats & Minerhymes.”

With all the noted performances, it is evident that Dee Simone is fluent in various contemporary playing styles: Jazz, Funk, Gospel, Pop-rock, Fusion, Country, Hip-hop and R&B. She’s a groove-oriented powerhouse player. She performs with good timing, with and without the metronome and backing tracks...with the great ability to stay in the pocket!

Danielle has excellent listening skills, and takes direction well; staying genre specific when performing and recording with so many diverse ensembles.

She has over 10 years of drum performance and recording experience. Her knowledge of the latest digital audio devices and software include: Pro Tools, Garage Band, Logic, Ableton Live, and Reason. Dee Simone is a quick study with the ability to read drums charts and lead sheets.

Her backline includes: Vic Firth 3A, SD4 Combo, 5B Barrel- Zildjian K Custom Series, A Custom - Roland SPDS Pad- Pearl Export 5 Drum Kit- Pearl Hardware- Remo Drum Heads- Yamaha 14 x 6 Snare, and Westone In-ears.

Dee Simone’s hobbies include stage setup and management. Playing the bass and cooking are also favorite pastimes.