Story by TJ Shockley
Images via Jason Ezzell
Columbus, Georgia, is fast becoming a hotspot for creative music, where local artists are playing a pivotal role in shaping the city’s soundscape. In the heart of that music scene, Jason Ezzell is a driving force behind the city’s growing reputation for quality music. Anyone who’s seen a live show in Columbus in the past two decades has probably seen him perform, whether in bands of his own or as a session player to support other artists. But when he is not on stage, he has cultivated a reputation as a go-to producer and recording engineer for both aspiring and established musicians in the region.
Blending technical expertise with creative collaboration, he sees his goal as bringing other artists’ visions to life. With Ezzell, production is more than the technical aspects, more than simply pushing a button. His role is a partner who helps shape an artist’s sound without overpowering their vision. He explains in a recent conversation, “I don't think a producer should be overbearing, and I don't think a producer should steer an artist in a direction that they're unhappy going…but I do think that there is value in discomfort. I think that’s the only way we get better.” And he is making a significant impact in helping artists get better.
Bridging Analog and Digital Worlds
Coming from a musical family, with a father who played Fats Domino on the piano and a grandfather who was a skilled singer, Ezzell was surrounded by music and inspiration. However, his fascination with recording blossomed in the mid-1990s, sparked by The Black Crowes' album The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion. Captivated by the rich, raw sound of the guitars, he compares the album’s clean, immersive tones “like putting your ear to the guitar amplifier.” As a teenager, this intrigue led him to experiment with cassette tape layering, an early DIY approach to multi-track recording. Without formal mentors, his process was trial and error—learning to blend sounds, deal with technical limitations, and embrace imperfection.
After advice from other experienced musicians and upgrades to tools like four-track cassette recorders and eventually computer-based setups (not to mention a little persistence), he honed his skills. This foundation laid the groundwork for a career that bridges the analog and digital eras of music production. Ezzell now strives to strike a balance between the warmth and organic feel of analog recordings while embracing the flexibility that digital tools offer, focused on finding the right balance for each project. “I’m thankful to have a quiver of things to pull stuff from,” he recalls, noting that with experience and the right tools, today’s artists no longer need to give up on ideas that once seemed unattainable.
He emphasizes that having the right collaborators and mentors has been instrumental, not just for gaining knowledge but also for finding inspiration. “People like Mark Michaelson of WonderDog Sounds, Marty Ortiz, and Chad Jackson of Minds Eye Sound…the quiver of arrows isn’t just gadgets and instruments. It’s also finding the right people to work with.”
A Diverse Landscape of Music Production
With decades of experience as both a musician and a producer, Ezzell knows that music production and recording in Columbus benefit greatly from a mix of studio environments. His personal work spans two key spaces: the recording studio located at The Loft and his home-based Spinnaker Studios. Each offers distinct advantages, highlighting the diversity of the city’s music production landscape.
The Loft is a professionally designed facility equipped with large live rooms, isolated recording spaces, and top-tier technology. (The Columbusite previously highlighted the recording space here.) The setup at The Loft is ideal for live bands and high-energy recordings that require precision and space. “It’s a very peaceful, well-designed place to do work,” Ezzell notes, collaborating with other talented artists and engineers like Dr. Matthew McCabe, Julian Chalon, and Jordan Beck to deliver polished results.
Meanwhile, Spinnaker Studios offers a more intimate atmosphere. Originally a personal project, Ezzell’s studio has become a haven for artists seeking a relaxed, creative environment. While smaller in scale, Spinnaker balances comfort with professional-grade equipment, allowing artists to experiment freely. “It’s a comfortable, cozy place to make a record,” Ezzell says. “I have tracked four-, five-, six-piece bands simultaneously, and it works for people who enjoy that cozy environment.”
Both spaces play an important role in supporting Columbus’ music scene, offering artists a range of options to bring their projects to life.
Finding the Right Balance
Independent musicians face unique challenges with recording music, from navigating technical aspects to balancing creativity with budget constraints. In a city like Columbus, many independent musicians are eager to explore their sound but may lack the technical expertise to bring their ideas to fruition. Ezzell hopes that his hands-on approach ensures each project stands out, allowing him to handle the technical complexities so that artists can focus on their music. With an experienced producer, musicians can “show up, sit down, warm up, and play their songs,” he says. “Everybody else can handle the [technical] stuff and they can leave happy.”
At the same time, he encourages artists to explore the possibilities of home recording. “For musicians who do have a technical desire and want to buy the equipment, they can record at home on their computer,” he says, referencing success stories like Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas who famously began recording music from home. While modern tools make DIY production accessible, Ezzell emphasizes the value of working with professionals who bring experience and a fresh perspective to the process. “It's possible to start in your own bedroom. It's also possible to start in a really nice recording studio and accomplish the same thing, if you're not as interested in the technical bit.”
For those looking to break into music production, his advice is simple: be curious and persistent. “There is a way to accomplish whatever it is you’re thinking,” he says. “And don’t be afraid to ask people who are smarter than you in that area.” He cites the access to information online, like YouTube tutorials, as being invaluable to someone starting out.
However, for musicians who want to record in a studio, it’s important that they are open to the collaborative nature of recording. “[Recording] is pretty much a team sport,” he says. “Everybody in that room is responsible for the end result.” Ezzell suggests that, while artists should champion ideas that they feel strongly about, they should be willing to try new things and trust the process.
Growing the Area’s Music Legacy
In recent years, Ezzell has observed a resurgence of interest in original music in Columbus. “There are more places and businesses and people who are interested in hearing original music,” he says, citing venues like The Loft, Blue Canary Records, and events like Jarfest. These platforms have created opportunities for local and regional artists to share their work, sparking collaborations and inspiring new projects. “It’s kind of fun being the ‘old’ guy. I’m really invigorated by the sheer number of younger bands and musicians in Columbus doing cool stuff, bands like The Normas and Watch The Skunk. It makes me feel 20 again.”
It’s this resurgence and that collaborative spirit that has allowed Ezzell to work with a diverse range of artists: instrumental trio No, Yeah; singer/songwriters like Sarah King, Julianna Money, and Zac Young; and renowned jam band Skydog Gypsy. As Columbus’ music scene continues to grow, he is excited to play a role in its evolution. Every project — from established artists to new voices— is an opportunity to learn and create something meaningful. “When it’s with the right people and when it’s got the right vibe, there’s really nothing better,” he says.
For those interested in recording or collaborating, Spinnaker Studios and The Loft remain open for new projects. ◾️
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