Jeff Kathan

Power Drummer

Jeff F.Kathan is a big man. His job is simple…deliver the groove like a cattle brand from God.

Deliver, he does, in spades.

Quoted by Lynn Sorensen
THE FACTS: Jeff Kathan is a professional drummer who has had the honor of playing
with such legendary rock artists as Paul Rodgers (Free, Bad Company, The Firm), Ronnie
Montrose (The Edgar Winter Group, Montrose, Gamma), and Howard Leese (Heart).
With 13 years of international touring experience as the rhythmic backbone of The Paul Rodgers
Band, Jeff has earned his place as one of the world’s most respected touring drummers.

With a stature somewhere under 20-feet tall with arms the size of small oak trees, the term ‘Power
Drummer’ is often used to describe the big man, but Jeff’s talents are hardly limited to one
style of skin bashing. Jeff has brought a Blues/Funk groove to acts like Spike and the Impalers (featuring
KZOK’s Bob Rivers and Spike O’Neill) and the Sir Mix-A-Lot produced project, Outtasite. The high
demand buzz that has been generated among producers in the industry is due in part to this
type of immense versatility.

Jeff has also earned many endorsements with highly respected companies over the years
such as: DW Drums, Soultone Cymbals, Vater Drum Sticks, Remo Drum Heads, Custom in ears Ultimate
UE-11s, Randall May System Internal Mic holders, CAD Microphones, Westone, Starflight hard road
drum cases, Sabian Cymbals, Buttkicker, Puresound, Levy’s Cases, Red Bear Cleaner, Holz and Gator
Drum Cases

CURRENTLY Jeff’s plays a DW hand crafted custom Cherry Gum Drum set with Gold Hardware and a
massive 28” bass drum. Remo Drum Heads & Soultone Cymbals for a crisp solid sound. CAD
Microphones, Buttkicker and Vater’s custom sugar maple sticks great for Jeff’s power playing. Ultimate
UE-11s for the clarity. All packed in custom Gator Cases.

THE STORY: At the tender age of eight years old, Jeff Kathan first discovered that he wanted to play
drums. While visiting his grandfather in Colorado, Jeff was introduced to the jazz recordings of legendary
drummer Gene Krupa. That profound event proved to be pivotal to the direction the rest of Jeff’s life
would take.

After years of practicing and playing with several local bands in the Northwest, Jeff soon found himself
playing with some of the top bands in the Seattle region. The traction he gained in the local music scene
eventually led him to work with producer Mike Flicker of Heart fame. With Mike’s recommendation
Jeff was recruited to play on some major recording sessions for Dixon House Masked Madness (A&M),
Trooper’s Money Talks (RCA). Jeff also recorded with The Kinetics (Etiquette Records) in the late 1980s.

Jeff continued to practice hard, doing as many session recordings as he possibly could, and playing live
on a regular basis. He performed with Vancouver, BC area bands like Code Red before returning to the
Seattle area, where he played with local acts. The Kinetics, Fighting Cocks, Child and the Rogers
Rogers band to name a few. Jeff’s relentless ambition helped bring his playing to new heights. Always
striving to become better at his instrument, Jeff began adding more depth to his playing and was soon
recruited by former Heart guitarist Howard Leese and bassist Jason Boyleston to join The Howard Leese
Brigade.

Jeff was later approached by Paul Rodgers’ manager to bring the entire Howard Leese Brigade to
audition for Paul Rodgers and soon landed the gig. Howard Leese would temporarily leave to tour with
Heart, and Randy Hansen was brought in to take over on guitar until Leese completed his touring
obligations. When Jason Boyleston later decided to retire, Jeff recruited bassist, vocalist and good friend
Lynn Sorensen to take over the bass duties. Together they helped orchestrate the arrival of Joe Shikany
as a second guitarist.

Jeff Kathan toured 13 years with Paul Rodgers from 1998 to 2011. Jeff has played throughout Europe,
Australia and the United States. When there where breaks in touring Jeff and bandmate Lynn
Sorensen kept themselves busy playing local gigs and recording with Spike and the Impalers, The
Fabulous Johnsons, Magic Bus, Sex and Violins and the Roni Lee Group.

Jeff also plays a percussion gig now with Jack Johnson and Steve Aliment in the band Denny Blaine.
Jeff spends his ‘free time’ trying to hone his craft even further by finding new artists to play with, while
increasing his workload in the studio as well.

Jeff has recorded with many Artists including The Ventures latest 2015 albums specially designed for
Japan. NAMM 2016 Jeff took the stage with Don Wilson of The Ventures and Jeff ‘Skunk’ Baxter to play
the hit Wipe Out.

Jeff takes pride in supporting music and drums for our youth. Jeff has been a renowned teacher for many
years. Jeff has been a featured Drummer since 2003 with Woodstick Big Beat held in Washington each
year. Woodstick Big Beat benefits Groove Music for Youth. Jeff is a big supporter of ‘Bridges’Â and
attends the Bridges Benefit Gala each year to support the Children’s Music Foundation.

Jeff is a huge supporter of our troops and performs for them any time the opportunity arises. Jeff has
played locally at JBLM (Joint Base Lewis McCord) for the 4th of July.
The list goes on and on. It is said that Jeff has the highest levels of Integrity, Professionalism, Dedication,
Loyalty, Reliable, and delivers a remarkable performance.

Jeff delivers a force like no other. It was recently quoted “That some people may have large drums but
Jeff has the legs and the power to play them, with intensity”.