WELCOME
Ten years behind the kit. Now I'm opening the door.
I've spent about a decade making my living as a working drummer. Here I share what I've learned on and off the stage, so the next wave of players doesn't have to figure it out alone.
TRUSTED ACROSS WORLD TOURS, TELEVISION, REHEARSALS, AND HIGH-PRESSURE ONE-OFFS
TATE MCRAE · VICTORIA MONÉT · AVA MAX · JORDIN SPARKS · KELLY ROWLAND
MY STORY
I learned the business side the hard way.
World tours. Major stages. Musical consistency.
JARVIS ‘JEB’ BARNES · DRUMMER · PLAYBACK ENGINEER · SHOW BUILDER
From Dover, Delaware, to some of the world’s biggest stages, I’ve built a dynamic career as a touring drummer, playback engineer, programmer, and assistant musical director for artists including Tate McRae, Victoria Monét, Ava Max, and more.
As the founder of Drumming With Jarvis and host of Off Script, I use my experience to educate emerging professionals, spotlight the people behind live entertainment, and help shape the industry’s next generation.
TELEVISION + LIVE EVENTS
High-pressure rooms
Saturday Night Live
The Tonight Show
American Idol
Streamer Awards
One-offs + special events
SHOW SYSTEMS
From rehearsal to stage
Playback session builds
Show programming
Arrangement support
Rehearsal materials
Tour-ready execution
WHAT I BELIEVE
Talent gets you noticed. That's only the start.
01
Chops get you in the room
Be ready to play anything they put in front of you. That part is on you, every day.
02
Character keeps you there
Be coachable, be on time, be someone people trust. That's what gets you the second call.
03
Business keeps you working
Know how to market yourself, handle money and get in front of the right people.
WHEN YOU'RE READY TO GO FURTHER
Work with me
I've spent ten years learning what it takes to land the gig, keep it and get paid fairly. Now I'm passing it on. Start with a one-on-one consultation today, and if you want to go all the way, Becoming First Call mentorship is on the way.
STEP 1 · AVAILABLE NOW
Consultation
A one-on-one session to get clear on your playing, your brand and the business side. Parents welcome.
STEP 2 · COMING SOON
Becoming First Call
Ongoing mentorship over 3, 6 or 12 months, with a path toward referrals to the musical directors I work with.
DIGITAL RESOURCE
Working Musician Toolkit
Practical templates and guidance for rates, payment, emails, gig decisions, tour prep and communication.
A DRUMMING WITH JARVIS ORIGINAL
The people and process behind every performance.
Honest, long-form conversations with the musicians, directors, engineers, creators, and production professionals who build the moments audiences remember.
MUSIC · TOURING · PRODUCTION · CREATIVE LEADERSHIP
Hosted by Jarvis ‘Jeb’ Barnes
Professional Musician · Playback Engineer · Music Director
HIRING FOR A SHOW?
Tell me what you’re building.
The best inquiry is the one with real information.
Send the artist or project, dates, city, service needed, current materials, and the result you want. Whether you need drums, playback, music direction, show programming, or a combination, this form gives us a clear place to begin.