Introducing Austin Wrinkle, b 1971, an accomplished and versatile drummer and percussionist with a passion for rhythm and drumming traditions from around the world. With a unique blend of techniques and concepts from various cultures, Austin has developed a distinctive voice on a wide array of drums and percussion instruments.
Austin's exceptional talent has earned him recognition in the music industry, including a nomination for "World Percussionist Of The Year" in the 2014 Drum! Magazine Drummies Awards. He is a founding member of the highly acclaimed percussion group, Hands On'Semble, dedicated to the art of hand drumming. The group has received accolades such as the Drum! Magazine Drummies Award for "Best Percussion Ensemble" in 2003 and 2002, with a first runner-up award in 2001.
Hands On'Semble has captivated audiences worldwide, performing at prestigious percussion and world music festivals, music schools, and conservatories across North and South America, Europe, and Asia. They have collaborated with esteemed percussionists such as John Bergamo, Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri, Houman Pourmehdi, Adam Rudolph, Poovalur Sriji, Abbos Kosimov, Glen Velez, Brad Dutz, Jamey Haddad, and many more notable artists.
The group's contributions extend to the realm of film soundtracks as well. They have worked on the soundtrack for the 2011 Universal Pictures feature film "Cowboys and Aliens" and were featured on the soundtrack for the 2010 Disney feature film, "Prince of Persia: Sands of Time," composed by Harry Gregson-Williams.
To date, Hands On'Semble has recorded five remarkable CDs that have garnered praise and acclaim from percussionists and critics worldwide. Their recorded work has been hailed as masterful, important, and some of the most interesting in its genre.
“Masterful”
“A Stellar percussion group with extraordinary soloing, and an extensive palette of sounds”
“John Bergamo, Austin Wrinkle, Randy Gloss, and Andrew Grueschow succeeded in presenting a CD clearly ranking among the most interesting percussion CDs of the last ten years.”
“…This just might be the best percussion recording ever made. The drumming is of such a high quality that this CD is on my short list of the CDs I can recommend to any drummer or percussionist. It is one of those rare CDs that is wonderful to listen to, and also can be played over and over in order to learn new rhythms and compositional forms… Every drummer should own this CD.”
In addition to his involvement with Hands On'Semble, Austin is a founding member of the progressive jazz/rock band PLOTZ!. Their album "Extraordinary Renditions" received multiple awards, including "Best Instrumental CD" and "Best Instrumental Song" at the MAVRIC Awards in Ventura County, as well as "Best International Instrumental CD" from Toronto Exclusive Magazine's Music Awards.
“Dazzling progressive-jazz Balkan music.”
“A s***-hot beam of musical illumination.”
“PLOTZ! is the unlikely bastard son of Ivo Papasov and Black Sabbath…festive heavy Bulgarian jazz-rock, catchy as hell and quite accessible overall.”
“…Music that carries a message…an experience of instrumental virtuosity sure to impress even an experienced listener.”
Austin's musical collaborations extend further, as he has performed with various renowned musicians and groups, including Hindugrass, a fusion ensemble blending Hindustani music from northern India with Bluegrass from Appalachia.
“Hindugrass… is a perfect example of the hybrid musical conceptualizing that goes on at CalArts”
Austin has also worked with Lian Ensemble, Adam Rudolph's Organic Orchestra, Jonathan McEuen, Dave Cipriani, Surge Du Monde, and Moss Man, among others.
Austin's musical journey has taken him to festivals and events worldwide, including the Patagonia Percussion Festival in Argentina, Ritmos de Terra in Brazil, World Drum Festival in Germany, and the International Folk Drum Festival in Taiwan. He has graced stages at the Percussive Arts Society International Conventions (PASIC) and numerous PAS "Days of Percussion" events across the United States. Noteworthy appearances include the Seattle World Rhythm Festival and the Watts Tower Day of the Drum Festival.
Beyond his impressive performances, Austin's compositions have also gained recognition. His composition "Wart Hog #3" was selected for recording at Village Recording Studio in Santa Monica, CA, and featured on the promotional CD "CalArts; Essencia Performance and Composition 1997". This composition has been performed by percussion ensembles worldwide and has shared programs with renowned composers like John Cage, Lou Harrison, and Steve Reich.
Austin has had the privilege of studying under some of the most respected drummers and percussionists of our time. He spent years honing his skills with percussion pioneer John Bergamo and tabla maestro Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri. His studies have encompassed South Indian drumming with Mridangam Poovalur Sriji, Persian music with Houman Pourmehdi, orchestral percussion with David Johnson, West African (Ghanaian) drumming with Alfred Ladzekpo, drum set technique and concepts with Bruce Becker, and Jazz drums with the legendary Joe LaBarbara.
Austin Wrinkle proudly endorses Remo drumheads and world percussion, Cooperman frame drums, Dream Cymbals and Gongs, and Innovative Percussion drumsticks and mallets.
Austin's musical education includes a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music and a Master of Fine Arts in Music from the esteemed California Institute of the Arts.
With his extensive expertise, diverse musical background, and commitment to artistic excellence, Austin Wrinkle is poised to inspire and guide students on their own rhythmic journeys. He currently teaches at The Thacher School in Ojai, CA, and privately in Thousand Oaks, CA, and Ventura, CA.
For more information or to inquire about lessons, please contact Austin directly.
Education:
California Institute of the Arts:
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music (1997)
Master of Fine Arts in Music (1999)