Episode 119: Drummer Daru Jones (Jack White, Pete Rock)

The youngest son of two church choir directors and musicians, Daru Jones has played drums since the age of 4, having grown up behind the kit at his parents' congregation. His love for gospel eventually led him to jazz, country, funk, R&B and hip-hop, where he has flourished as a touring, session and for-hire musician for emcees, vocalists, songwriters and producers like Nas, Talib Kweli, Sturgill Simpson, Dwight Yoakam, Pete Rock, Gloria Gaynor and Pharoahe Monch. He's also performed as part of Jack White's band, both on the road and on record, most recently to promote Third Man Hardware's latest guitar pedal line, viewable on Instagram, @thirdmanhardware. On today's episode, Daru reflects on the influence of everyone from Gene Krupa to DJ Premier, how he relates to the film Whiplash, why classic album covers should be taken as seriously as the music it represents, and the art of respecting composition over the urge to upstage. Catch Daru on the road in coming months as he accompanies original James Brown saxophonist Pee Wee Ellis. You can also follow Daru on Instagram and Facebook, @darujones.