1. Hi Dee! Please introduce yourself to those who might not know you. 
What's up! I’m Dee Simone. Born and raised in the Bay Area, CA, I moved to Los Angeles in 2010 and attended the Musicians Institute, located in Hollywood, CA. I graduated in 2012 with an Associate’s Degree in Drums. I currently reside in LA and have had the privilege of traveling the world doing what I love. I am also blessed to play in church every Sunday at Greater Zion Church Family, located in Compton, CA.
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2. How did your connection with Shira and Gritty In Pink come about? 
I was invited to play at Ultimate Jam Night in March 2024 by Chuck Wright. After I played a few songs, I remember meeting Shira, who told me about the organization Gritty In Pink. Fast forward to the beginning of January 2025, I was referred by a mutual friend, Tatiana Tate, to play with Gritty In Pink at the NAMM show, where I finally got to connect with Shira and other members of Gritty In Pink.
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3. What's it like to be a part of the effort to create a supportive community for a set of diverse women in the music industry?
Being a new member of Gritty In Pink feels incredibly welcoming. I'm excited to create and connect with more women musicians. It's so inspiring to know that we are stepping up, bit by bit.
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4. When did you first realize you wanted to pursue a career in music? Was there a specific person or influence that made you recognize being a drummer was your dream?
I grew up in church, and I remember always having my eyes locked on the drummer. When I turned 13, my dad took me to a pool party. When we got there, I saw a drum set. I asked my dad if it was okay for me to play it, and once I started playing, I gained an audience. I remember people smiling while I was playing, and I also remember feeling really happy.

The following week after the pool party, that same drum kit ended up in my room at home. That’s when I realized this was something I was truly interested in. I would practice after school, listening to church music as well as hip-hop groups like The Roots. Questlove became one of my favorite drummers when I learned about them in middle and high school.

Years later, I worked a few 9-to-5 jobs, but I wasn’t happy. Eventually, I got the courage to move away from home and pursue my dream of becoming a professional musician.
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5. You were recently a part of Doechii’s viral Tiny Desk performance. What was it like getting to collaborate with her?
I’ve been blessed to play with Doechii a few times since 2022, and I learn something new from her with every experience. When I got the call to play with her on Tiny Desk, I was filled with joy because performing there has always been on my bucket list. It was truly a dream come true to collaborate with her and my fellow peers. The experience was life-changing, and I thank God every day for giving me the chance to work and collaborate with this incredible generation of artists and musicians.
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6. Do you have a dream artist you’d like to collaborate or go on tour with? 
I would love to go on tour with Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, Alicia Keys, or any pop artist. My dream collaborations would be with The Roots, Kanye West, Missy Elliott, Pharrell, Coldplay, and Timbaland.
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7.  Is there a particular song that you love to play live?
This is a tough question because I'm a lover of music! I'll share a few of my favorite songs across different genres:
Gospel: Ricky Dillard – "More Abundantly"
Hip-Hop: Outkast – "So Fresh, So Clean"Fusion: Herbie Hancock – "Actual Proof"
R&B: Chaka Khan – "I Feel for You"
Jazz: Miles Davis – "So What"

8. How do you approach playing different genres of music? Is there a difference in that?
I can never approach songs the same way, no matter the genre. I approach each song as if I’m having a conversation or tailoring it to match the artist’s unique style.
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9. What challenges have you faced as a female drummer in what has historically been a male-dominated field?  
I remember getting a call to play for an amazing smooth jazz guitarist. They sent me the music and all the necessary information about the gig and the artist. However, once the artist found out I was a female drummer, I was refused the gig because of it.

Another challenge I often face is being in bands with female musicians who speak their minds at the wrong times. I say this because we’re often labeled as "too emotional," and expressing our feelings publicly can lead to confrontation. As women and human beings, we absolutely have the right to express how we feel, but sometimes, speaking out when we’re frustrated in the moment can shift the narrative. Instead, we can grow by learning from one another and supporting each other collectively.
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10. Are there any particular drummers who have influenced your style? 
Yes! I grew up watching some incredible hometown heroes like Eric Moore, Qye Jackson, Thomas Pridgen, Thomas McCree, Joel Smith, Justin Brown, Aaron Green, Dominique Campbell, and Jazmyne Evans, who became a huge influence on the way I approach my playing. Over the years, my interest in drummers grew, and I started studying other incredible players such as Jack DeJohnette, Art Blakey, Aaron Spears, Tony Royster Jr., Jamal Moore, Dana Hawkins, Margis Miles, Sean Wright, Cora Coleman, Nikki Glaspie, Sheila E., Tony Williams, Glory Yard, TK Johnson, and many more.

All of these amazing musicians inspire me to this day and remind me why I’ll never give up on playing!
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11. If your life were a movie, what would the title be, and who would play you?
I feel like my movie would be the female version of Forrest Gump. Despite his challenges and disability, he kept pushing forward in life and accomplished so much. It was heartwarming to see him cry when he learned he had a child, knowing his legacy would continue through his seed, giving them the opportunity to achieve even more. Queen Latifah would definitely be a great fit to star as me in my movie because she has the attitude and presence to truly bring the role to life.
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12. If you could pick any album to be the soundtrack of your life, which one would it be and why?
OutKast’s Love Below album has so much character. It discusses the facts of life in a way that resonates with my culture and how we experience the world.

13. What’s a personal achievement or milestone from this past year that you’re proud of?
Playing on Tiny Desk feels like a huge achievement. I'm someone who tends to overthink and sometimes feels like I'm not a good enough drummer or musician. So, being called to play with big artists and perform on major platforms reminds me to keep moving forward, keep practicing, and strive to maintain a better perspective on life.

14. What’s next? 
Whatever comes next is God’s will. I thank God every day for the gift He’s given me and for the opportunity to use it for His glory. I’m trusting in Him for the next steps. In the meantime, I’ll keep praying, networking, practicing, and preparing for what's ahead!
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