associated_acts years_active label landscape name background instrument genre image article_title birth_name occupation
hotel etten lights , ben folds five , sharon van 1994 -- present sony , bar/none yes darren jessee solo_singer vocals , guitar , piano , drums , timpani folk , alternative rock , lo fi acoustic darrenjessee.jpg darren jessee
 darren michael jessee musician , singer-songwriter , drummer
darren jessee

darren michael jessee is an american drummer , songwriter , singer and member of the rock bands ben folds five and hotel lights .
in 2014 , jessee joined sharon van etten 's touring band .
born in houston , texas , and raised in north carolina , jessee currently resides in brooklyn .
ben folds five are known for energetic live shows and vocal harmonies .
jessee 's drumming style has a strong jazz influence , from his longtime love of the genre .
referred to by wxpn 's bruce `` dan '' warren as `` ben folds five 's secret weapon '' , jessee formed hotel lights in 2003 after many years writing songs , playing drums , and touring in the trio .
in his own band , hotel lights have had their songs featured in hit tv shows -lrb- grey 's anatomy , one tree hill -rrb- and a major motion picture baby mama .
ben folds , on a recent itunes originals compilation , credited the jessee-penned chorus for `` brick '' as the missing element to a song that he had tried to compose for a long time , remarking `` i 've never understood a hit chorus .
i wish i did . ''
darren can also be heard drumming on josh rouse 's album under cold blue stars , released in 2002 .
