By DAVID DUPONT
BG Independent News
Simon Metzger was 10 years old, already having been taking percussion lessons for five years, when his drum teacher shared some classic jazz records with the youngster.
Metzger said he remembers not really taking to the music that well at first. It didn’t take long, though, for the spontaneous magic of master jazz drummers Jimmy Cobb and Brian Blade to make its impression. “As I warmed up to it and started listening to it, the music inspired me.”
Metzger, who just graduated from Bowling Green High School, is getting ready to head out and continue his study with another master drummer Peter Erskine at the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California. Erskine is one of the busiest drummers on the scene, having worked with small jazz combos to orchestras, done session work with Joni Mitchell, Barbra Streisand, and been a member of noted ensembles including Weather Report, Steps Ahead, and Chick Corea’s band.
Metzger has been taking virtual lessons with Erskine for two years, so it was natural for him to continue. He liked the atmosphere at the school. “They’re going to kick your butt, but you’ll have fun,” he said “That really attracted me.”
And a generous scholarship offer sweetened the deal.
Metzger lives in Wayne and attended Bowling Green High through open enrollment. Both Metzger’s parents have musical backgrounds. His father, Jeff, plays keyboards and guitar. His mother, Jenny, is a former band director.
“She had all the toys at home and I played those. They saw that I loved music and started to get me involved in lessons.”
His father gave him some basic instruction on keyboards. And he started drum lessons at 5. Metzger studied at Bowling Green State University with students of Roger Schupp. He studied with Schupp in fall 2015, just before the beloved professor of percussion died in December.
“He exposed me to a lot of different styles. He was always encouraging me to develop my talents. It was just a great experience for me.”
Though he’s interested in being an all-round percussionist, his focus in college will be on jazz. “The improvisatory aspect of jazz catches my ear,” Metzger said. “There’s so much creativity in the jazz idiom.”
He’s been able to explore that at an advanced level while in high school. In his freshman and sophomore years, he played drums for the BGSU Lab Band II directed by Jeff Halsey. In his junior and senior years, he played in Jazz Lab Band I, directed by David Bixler.
That put him on stage with New York-based visiting artists including saxophonist and composer Ben Wendel and pianist Frank Kimbrough.
“Just being able to share the stage with them was an extreme honor,” he said. “It encourages me a lot, especially when they would compliment me. It was very gratifying and inspiring that top musicians in the world would think you play well. It inspires me to try to reach the level they have.”
Bixler said of Metzger’s work with the jazz ensemble: “I was regularly impressed with the manner in which he handled himself as a high schooler around the older musicians he was playing with. He can play, for sure, and he always approached the music with assurance and humility. I have been privileged to have him pass through the program.”
Metzger has subbed at the weekly jazz jam session at Arlyn’s Good Beer, and plays with saxophonist Kyle Brooks, a graduate student in jazz studies.
Metzger has also attended a number of music camps. When he went to a camp at the University of Connecticut’s Hartt School, he had a chance to hear Jimmy Cobb, one of the drummers who first inspired him. Cobb, who died last year, was the last surviving member of the Miles Davis Sextet that recorded the masterpiece “Kind of Blue.”
At a workshop at Wayne State University, Metzger was chosen to be the drummer for a student all-star group that performed at the Detroit Jazz Festival. The ensemble was coached by Ali Jackson, drummer with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra.
Metzger was continuing to contribute to the music program at the high school. Band Director Bruce Corrigan gave him opportunities to teach younger players and assume a leadership role in the band.
He’s also tried to share what he’s learned with his peers, especially in the BGHS Jazz Cats. “I’m trying to push them in an encouraging way, to push them to develop skills that are necessary to play in a big band.”
Now he’ll be further honing his skills with an eye toward joining his musical heroes.
“The dream is just to play gigs for a living, just to play music with other people,” Metzger said. “I’ll just see what opportunities come along. I’ll just keep working hard, practicing and see what opportunities come from being in L.A.”
