Career
In 2014, Jessee joined Sharon Van Etten"s touring band. Born in Houston, Texas, and raised in North Carolina, Jessee currently lives in Brooklyn. 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 ""s secret weapon", Jessee formed in 2003 after many years writing songs, playing drums, and touring in the trio.
In his own band, have had their songs featured in hit television shows (Grey"s Anatomy, One Tree Hill) and a major motion picture Baby Mama. The song "Sky High" written by Jessee and performed by was heard in American Broadcasting Company television"s Quantico.
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. is the project name for songwriter Darren Jessee.
Notable Jessee songwriting contributions for include: "Amelia Bright" (Jessee) – unreleased track performed live by the band 1999–2000.
Later featured on the album Firecracker People. A 2000 studio version of the track by was included on Folds" retrospective album The Best Imitation of Myself: A Retrospective (2011) "Stumblin" Home Winter Blues" (Jessee) – originally released on " self-titled debut album in 2006. Later recorded by for The Best Imitation of Myself.