Meet Dee Simone | Musician / Drummer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dee Simone and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dee, why did you pursue a creative career?
I chose to have an artistic career because of the influence of my family. Music has always been in my house hold since I was a baby. I grew up listening to artist like John Coltrane, Sarah Vaughan, Aretha Franklin, Beatles, Funkadelic, Miles Davis, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Richard Smallwood and many more.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I started at home beating on walls, tables, pots/pans, and even trying to make a little drum set out of a toy clean-up set as a baby. Then growing up in church as a young kid, my eyes were always locked on the band. Especially the drummer. I liked seeing how excited they were to play.

Around the age of 13, a co-worker of my Dad threw a Labor Day weekend pool party at his house. In one of the rooms, there was a remote drumkit. I asked if I could play, and the first drum beat of a song that came to mind was Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir.” As soon as I started playing, my heart started racing. After my Dad watched me play at the party, he saw the potential and went with his gut! I gained an audience that day which was super shocking as well. The following weekend that same remote drumkit was at my house.

Once I entered high school, music was my main priority. By 11th grade, I wasn’t the best because my mind was always focused on music and playing drums. I entered a few local contests and after-school program events to play on a kit. Around 19/20, I told my parents that I wanted to attend Berklee College of Music in Boston. They sent me there for an audition and interview, and that went well. Berklee offered me a scholarship to attend for the fall semester. My parents wanted me to go to community college first before attending Berklee. However, I disagreed, and life after that got hectic. I started making horrible decisions in my life and did not take music seriously. I remember between the ages of 20-22 working at Starbucks and staying connected to a regular customers. We talked about music and life. I told her about my possibly attending Berklee, but it wasn’t the right time and that I wanted to stay in my hometown. She told me that I should not give up on music and make better decisions even without not attending Berklee. She gave me a different perspective on how I should move forward with music.

By 23, it finally clicked that I needed to chase my dreams of being a musician and take it seriously. My parents finally recognized that this was what I wanted to do. So I applied to attend Musicians Institute (MI) in Hollywood. By getting accepted to MI, my parents were supportive of my next move. I learned how to READ music, grow as a drummer, network, and prepare for the REAL WORLD. A huge shout to my private drum instructor Fred Dinkins for teaching me about certain things in life, music, and opening up my ears.

After I graduated in 2012, I started playing for Greater Zion Church Family. My pastor Michael Fisher has been a huge help in my life. I’ve learned so much about who GOD IS as an individual. I remember the summer of 2012 when our youth pastor Oscar Duncan was killed; I learned not to take life for granted with that loss. I rededicated my life to Jesus Christ, and it was the BEST decision that I ever made. My brothers LJ and Chidi, two influential musicians in my life, took over as new musical directors the following year. They help me improve my musicianship & also grow as a person.

In 2015, I auditioned for an all-female Smooth Jazz band called Jazz In Pink. The leader, Gail Jhonson, & other original members were blown away by the audition. Original members Robin Bramlett, Karen, & Darlene, are like big sisters that taught me the do’s & don’ts in the music industry. I’ve been blessed to tour and play with them around the world. My most memorable performance was at Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl in 2019. Playing for Greater Zion and Jazz In Pink has opened up more opportunities to expand my artistry. Also, in 2019, I played for Jayla Darden, Maysa, Nils, and Katie Kadan on NBC’s The Voice.

In 2020, the pandemic affected me, like most musicians, by canceling my entire schedule and creating more obstacles. With the creation of the vaccine and the world starting to open back up, Fast forwarding to 2021 – 2023 I’ve had the pleasure of playing with artists such as Brassroots District, Madame Gandhi, Molly Moore, Alemeda, Xelli Island, Dylan Conrique, Felsmere, Alison Wonderland, Nombe, Ravyn Lenae, KT Tunstall, and recently Doechii.

2024 I had the pleasure of performing with Doechii on Tiny Desk.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I have a few peers who come and visit LA for the music scene and to network, the beaches, and of course the food.

LA has a big music scene and few places to check out are The Mint, Spaghettini’s, Gold Diggers, Andy’s, The Troubadour, and many more.

Some of my favorite food spots in LA are Hiccups, Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles, Boiling Crab, Cactus, Noho Ramen, Silver Spoon, and bb.q Chicken.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to a few people. First is my family. To my sister, I love you and I thank GOD everyday for his healing power over you. Thank you for introducing me to new styles of music and artist. Mom & Dad thank you for supporting me through school and on my musical journey. Thank you for introducing me to music overall. Second I would like to thank the Family Band & Jazz In Pink. I’ve learned so much from you all individually and collectively. Thank you for pouring into me and pushing to be better at my craft.

Website: https://lion-dolphin-d7mj.squarespace.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dee.sim1/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dee.S.Simone

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dee.Sim1

Image Credits
1. Tiny Desk performance with Doechii

2. Soundcheck with Alison Wonderland

3. My Father and I after my performance with Alison Wonderland in San Francisco

4. Coachella performance with Doechii

5. Throwback picture of My sister, Mom, and Myself

6. Thanksgiving with my Family

7. Jazz In Pink

8. Family Band featuring Shohreh