Steve Jennings

Guest Musician

Artistic, energetic, and musical drummer Steve Jennings has experience with myriad styles including rock, classical, jazz, funk, gospel, country and blues. Growing up in a musical household in Northfield, MN, Jennings studied piano, violin and trumpet in addition to being drawn to the drums at a young age. As a teenager, he saved enough money to approach his parents with the idea to split the cost of a used Gretsch octaplus drumset. The 218 Plum Street basement became the woodshed at a time when playing along with albums meant setting the needle on the platter and getting to the downbeat in time.

After graduating from Luther College, Jennings' passion for music exponentially increased while touring the US and Canada for six years with various rock and dance bands. Since Steve’s first studio drumming experience on “From the Land of Dreams” in 1991, he has worked professionally in the Twin Cities area. Highlights include the Guthrie Theater production of The Parchman Hour, Penumbra Theater productions: Dinah Was, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Get Ready, and the soulful and seasonal Black Nativity. As a producer with his own Jazztet, Steve debuted the recording Colours in 1995; co-produced and recorded Over 10 & Back for More, and New Tracks with the Over & Back Band; and in 2012 co-produced the Story City fusion group recording, Time and Materials. Jennings also produced a four-band musical event at the History Theater in 2016. “Live at Five” featured: jazz and blues violinist Randy Sabien, country superstars Hitchville, the instrumental fusion of CityView, and Gospel Splash. This performance at McNally Smith College brought together nearly sixty musicians, lighting and sound technicians for a one of a kind experience.

Jennings joined the faculty at McNally Smith College of Music in the fall of 2009 as the Ensemble Department Head. This new role as an educator — providing important and impactful experiences for students — has further developed the sense of musical purpose of this self-proclaimed lifelong learner. The past year has provided new educational clinic and festival opportunities at Minnesota State University, Mankato and NDSU in Fargo, ND, where Steve debuted his “Be Intentional: Concepts to Act Upon as a Rhythm Section Musician” masterclass.