Brian Adler

Jazz/Rock drummer

Brian Shankar Adler is a multidisciplinary drummer, percussionist and composer. His work transcends the terrain between genre and geographic region, asking: how can we find connection through rhythm? Adler has been described as being "a polyrhythmic force... New York City gritty yet still somehow capable of evoking the delicacy of a summer breeze..." by Brad Cohan, JazzTimes. Brian Shankar Adler grew up in an ashram, in the mountains of upstate New York and began his rhythmic studies on the Indian mridang at the age of five. He received a jazz percussion scholarship to attend New England Conservatory where he was encouraged to discover his own artistic voice, through jazz, Indian, South American, Jewish and western classical music traditions. In Boston, Adler collaborated with Korean vocalist Sunny Kim, releasing three albums and touring the northeast and Europe.In 2005, with a globally influenced sonic palette and forward-thinking rhythmic concepts in tow, Adler moved to New York City. He spent sixteen years there, performing from street corners and dive bars, to Carnegie Hall, Jazz Standard, Lincoln Center, Roulette, Rubin Museum and The Stone. In 2013, Adler was a guest soloist with Bomba de Tiempo in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He performed and recorded for Chelsea Clinton's film, "Of Many," Kamala Sankaram's operas, "Thumbprint" (LA Opera) and "A Rose" (Houston Grand Opera), and Elizabeth Swados' final two theatrical productions, "The Nomad" and "The Golem." In 2019, Adler traveled to Kuwait to perform with oudist, Ahmed Alshaiba. Adler has also worked with: Kinan Azmeh, Sheila Jordan, Guillermo Klein, The Michael Leonhart Orchestra, Frank London, Kate McGarry, Meg Okura, Talujon, Emilio Teubal and Ray Vega. He is a member of the eclectic rock band, Bombay Rickey and trash orchestra, Bash the Trash.