Recording Alum Jaziel Sommers Working at Will Smith’s Recording Studio

Los Angeles Film School Recording Arts alum Jaziel Sommers has been seeing a lot of success as of late, and he’s only been a graduate of the program for five months. The first month out of the program he landed an internship at Will Smith’s recording studio The Boom Boom Room, and after three months became an “engin-intern”, essentially an engineering intern. Jazz mostly records vocals since it’s a hip hop and R&B studio, as well as keyboards, guitars, and bass. Working as a tracking engineer is different than a mixing engineer, however he is able to do all aspects of audio engineering. Jazz has his own mixing studio and completes mixes as a side gig, which was essential for getting through the first three months of his internship. It was the only way to provide for his gas and groceries until we was brought on full-time, and although it was a challenge to be working over 100 hours a week, it has definitely paid off.
Will Smith’s studio has been so busy work, they often call in freelancers. The head engineer has been overwhelmed with work and often works 12-13 hour days. The studio manager coordinates the sessions and the client either brings in their own engineer or asks for a house engineer. 9 times out of 10 they ask for the house engineer. There’s less chance of any speed bumps with the house engineer, so if you work for the studio then you get more work as opposed to working freelance. Usually freelance engineers have been doing it for 20 years and already have a solid reputation and client base. Being a part of the studio is great for right out of school since it’s consistent work.
An average day of work for Jazz starts at 12pm noon when he wakes up. Between 12 and 2pm he can expect a phone call from the studio asking if he can work 3pm-3am or 4pm-12am. If he doesn’t get that call then he’s heading to his mixing studio in Chatsworth to complete mixes. The sooner he finishes the mixes, the sooner he’s able to collect payment. Often time he will have to push back deadlines since he’s so busy tracking, but working as a mix engineer is a great way to fill in the gaps of time between sessions at Will Smith’s studio. Jazz explains that mix engineers are similar to artists; you don’t just hire the first new artist you hear about, you hire the one who has the most credits and background history of success. The A&R’s give songs to mix engineers who they know will do great work, so it’s often hard to move up since you are dependent on the reputation of the mix engineer you are assisting. However, when you’re a tracking engineer, you get paid engineer rates. Jazz suggests to students who want to be mixing engineers to start out a tracking studio. There you will make more money and can be introduced to people who will slowly start to trust you. If they request you to work again even better. He’s had clients say, “He makes my music sound good so I want to work with this guy only.” That opens up a conversation in which clients will ask about his mixing skills, and then bring him on board to mix. When clients book out studio time, they pay engineering rates and they own you for however long they’re in the studio for. So whatever they ask you to do, you do for them. Getting paid per hour for tracking is the similar as if you were to get paid per mix. Mixes can be about $500-1000 for a new mixing engineer.
How did this opportunity even come about? Jazz simply sent in his resume. However, to his credit, his resume was very sharp even before he started the Recording Arts program. Some of his credits include working with DJ Mustard, Ty$, Nicole Scherzinger, Mike Will, jasmine v., and with mix legend Dave Pensado and the Pensado’s Place team. First month into the program he started an internship at Cliff Jumpers, a writing camp owned by Music Director Charlie Wilson. The internship was quite difficult and he was challenged everyday, but the experience was invaluable. Working with Charlie directly as his pet engineer in the production camp forced Jazz to learn quickly and make fast decisions. “Writing camps are like college ball before the big leagues,” Jazz explains. Also, since it’s a writing camp, he was working on tracks that writers were pitching to artists, and not actually working on the final product, which was a bit less pressure. “After recording 100 sessions with rude people you become a strong engineer.” Jazz mentions with a laugh. Despite the difficulty in balancing school along with the internship, Jazz was appreciative of the guidance his instructors were able to provide. He credits teachers like Jason Moss, Candace Koller and Stu Brantley as being extremely helpful in answering questions he had encountered during recording sessions. When he ran into problems in the studio he would write them down and bring them into class. He would ask questions like, “Why did this happen?” and “What’s the best way to handle this situation?” Recently he mixed Rihanna’s Loud Tour DVD in 5.1 surround sound. At that point he was in film class and was learning 5.1 surround sound, literally getting the lessons before going into sessions.
Other recent work includes working with Rob Knox, who produced for Justin Timberlake and did two records on his recent album The 20/20 Experience. He also worked with Beyonce’s choreographer Clifford McGhee in addition to upcoming artist Scotty, signed with Sony. Will Smith has a friend named Omar, who pretty much runs The Boom Boom Room and is the “boss you never see” who execute produces for Will’s son Jaden and daughter Willow. Jazz has been working on recording sessions with Omar for about a month now and things are really starting to pick up. Considering that less than a few months ago Jazz was barely making enough from side mixing gigs to pay his necessities, it’s great to hear he made it through the trial period is now coming out on top.
Up next on the career horizon is working on live tours, as that’s one area in the audio industry he hasn’t yet conquered. Not only wearing all hats, but mastering them too, is a goal he has for himself and we’re certain it’s something he can accomplish. Music producing is also an area he’s going to be focusing on, since that allows for passive income with publishing rights. Attending the Recording Arts program was integral to Jazz’s success. As he puts it,

The program was great because it was only 12 months and intensive. Especially since I was actively working before starting classes. It was almost like a consulting firm. People have different opinions on school, but without it I wouldn’t have gotten through. It saved me.

Now that he’s been working consistently, his plan is to retire before he’s 25 and take care of his family. Considering all that he’s accomplished in such a short time, we don’t doubt him at all!