Monarch Artist Feature: Wes Greer

By Kelsey Knott • Photos By Kathryn Harrington

With his debut album on its way, Wes Greer is taking his 30th trip around the sun seriously.

After first trying piano and saxophone, he found his home in the drums in fifth grade. “It was all percussion from there on out.” Moving around in childhood provided him with many different teachers, diversifying his sound. “On my first day of eighth grade, my band director tells me to roll, and when I do he cuts off the band, freezes everyone and says, ‘Oh my gosh, he has chops!’ I didn’t know it was a good thing at the time.” It was there that the band people became his people, and he developed lasting friendships.

Louisville’s size allows for artists to play with various bands and try things without fear. Here, Greer had the opportunity to tour Canada and the East Coast with the Ruen Brothers and is a co-host of the twice monthly Monarch Jazz Jams. “It’s not just a music venue; it’s a community center, and the listening room encourages a hang focused on really hearing the music. It feels like a house party.” He looks forward to the jam session that will celebrate his upcoming album launch. “I took a solo at a jazz jam in Austin a few weekends ago. I can go somewhere, not know anyone, and play. I like to practice a lot for that. That way when I perform, I can just listen and be in the moment. Go support your local jazz!”

As an instructor with the Louisville Leopard Percussionists, Greer embraces the challenge of finding how kids learn best. “I’m always a learner. My words can get lost in communication when I’m talking, but when I’m drumming, I’m not really thinking. I’m playing and listening.” He taught himself many songs by ear, so molding good listeners is crucial to his work. “People aren’t practicing listening. In teaching, I listen to the kids to ensure they understand my ideas, they listen to me when I instruct, and then we can stay together and play what we intend to play.” He considers himself a mellow teacher and loves seeing the kids grow up. “One kid drove into rehearsal this week, and I remember when they were half my height.”

Greer often thinks of music in terms of sounds, noticing patterns in his research, like “Bach is Bebop Jazz with a different feel.” This analytical approach to music led to his band name, Wes Greer and the Jazz Scientists. With a goal of pushing the boundaries of rhythm without losing the form of the song, he's recording his first album, featuring four original tracks and four solo drums. “I’ll be playing the melody verbatim and then taking a solo on top of it harmonically. I want to change people's perception of the drums. Rather than just being a rhythmic instrument, it’s also melodic.” Furthermore, he wants to evolve the perception of jazz. “People think of ‘Smooth Jazz’ and ‘Swing Band,’ Ella Fitzgerald and Sinatra, or the opposite extreme of "Free Jazz" which sounds like a chaotic listening battle. ‘Hardbop’ gets overlooked–it’s thematic, bluesy, and speaks to the soul.”

Through it all, Greer’s family drives his purpose. “My wife is so amazing. She holds down the fort and takes care of everyone in it. I’m grateful to pursue music in the industry and still support my family. I couldn’t do it without her.”

Stay tuned for Greer’s debut album release this June, and catch him live around the city now!