Ari Hoenig is a groundbreaking jazz drummer, composer, and educator known for transforming the role of drums from timekeeper to melodic voice. With a style that’s both intense and harmonically rich, Ari brings rhythmic complexity into direct dialogue with his bandmates, creating performances that are as inventive as they are expressive. Raised in a musical family in Philadelphia, Ari began studying piano and violin at age 4 before switching to drums at 12. He quickly became a fixture on the local jazz scene, eventually studying at the University of North Texas and William Paterson College. Now based in Brooklyn, Ari has performed with artists like Joshua Redman, Kurt Rosenwinkel, and Chris Potter. His acclaimed solo albums and educational books reflect his deep commitment to pushing rhythmic boundaries. As faculty at NYU and the New School, he continues to inspire the next generation of musicians.