Each month in 2021, we will be featuring a member of the worldwide Gretsch community as our spotlight “featured player” of the month!

Our featured drummer for November is . . . Jesper Lind!

Born in Fredericia, Denmark, Jesper is a prolific drummer who has played professionally with popular Danish acts like Tim Christensen, Kira and the Kindred Spirits, and Hush. He has also worked extensively in London with the likes of top-level producers Nile Rodgers and Cam Blackwood. Jesper is currently playing with UK artist Jack Savoretti, with whom he has recently recorded a couple of #1 albums in the UK and performed to sell-out audiences throughout Europe.

Jesper started playing drums in the 5th grade.  At the age of 21, he moved to Copenhagen to study at the Rhythmic Music Conservatory. After attending for a few months, he found he was more interested in touring, playing, and recording. Ever since, he has worked as a professional drummer/musician.

We asked Jesper . . .

How old were you when you knew you were interested in becoming a musician?
I started playing drums at the age of 10 once I saw Keith Moon playing with The Who. It just looked like the coolest thing to do.

Why did you choose Gretsch?
When I was in the 5th grade we had music lessons and in the classroom was this amazing 1950s Silver Sparkle Gretsch round badge kit. Thinking back now I realize “what a classroom!”  I had only played on pots and pans at this point, but once I got on that Gretsch kit, everything changed for me. My friends who saw me play that day kept encouraging me to play more. It was pure magic. Obviously, having a 50s Gretsch kit in the classroom set the standard very high. I searched for a long time for an old Gretsch kit, but this was before the Internet and they were super tough to find.

 

Which Gretsch kit do you currently use?
I’m currently playing my old blue sparkle 1950s round badge kit. BD 20″ x 26″ / Toms 12″,13″,16″,18.”

Which musicians were the biggest influence on you and why?
I was heavily influenced by bebop and 70s fusion. From a drummer’s perspective, the real challenging stuff. I had a tape recorder that could slow the tape down so that I could transcribe the drum parts and learn how to play them. I always recorded myself playing, and tried to improve that way. I was also really into 1970s California music – Crosby, Stills & Nash, Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne, and so forth.

How did you adjust and stay musical during the COVID-19 pandemic?
During Covid I did a lot of remote recordings from Copenhagen where I’m currently based. I love recording but it’s really such a relief to finally be out and playing again live.

Enjoy the following videos with Jesper on drums!

 

 

 

Feature image by Mike Højgaard.