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Yamaha Drums has announced the signing of New York-based drummer, arranger, composer, and educator John Sturino to the roster of Yamaha Artists.
“John’s versatility as a drummer makes him the perfect addition to the family of Yamaha drum artists,” said Greg Crane, manager of Artist Relations, drums, Yamaha Corporation of America. “We look forward to supporting his skills as a composer and arranger, as well as his efforts as an educator and his premier musicianship on the stage.”
Sturino is a dynamic and versatile performer on multiple instruments, having performed the music of Frank Zappa with Zappa alumnus Arthur Barrow and touring internationally with the One O’Clock Lab Band.
As a committed supporter of music education, Sturino maintains a regular schedule as an educator as faculty of the Stanford Jazz Worship and most recently, as a fellow at the University of North Texas. Sturino also co-founded the Kenosha Jazz All-Stars—an annual summer youth program that brings jazz education and performance experience to middle and high school students—and currently teaches virtual private lessons from his studio in Brooklyn.
In addition to teaching, Sturino is a budding jazz composer and arranger for notable professional and student-level jazz ensembles. This year, Sturino was awarded a Commission Grant for a new large ensemble work from the International Society of Jazz Arrangers and Composers, debuting at the organization’s 2022 symposium.
Sturino’s Yamaha gear of choice includes the Maple Custom Absolute Drums, Absolute Maple and Recording Custom Snare Drums, Crosstown Hardware and FP-9 pedals.
“Not only are Yamaha drums dependable and versatile, but also trustworthy with incredible sound—the same standard that I strive for in my own musicianship. Yamaha drums and hardware fit this criteria time and time again, and never let me down,” said Sturino. “I know that if I walk into any rehearsal room or club greeted with a Yamaha set, it will stand up to whatever demands the music may pose on that given day. To be able to share the values of my musicianship with the instruments I play is a gift, and I’m truly honored to be joining the Yamaha family into a lineage in which I have so much respect for.”
Sturino earned a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance and a Master of Music in Jazz Arranging from the University of North Texas, studying under Ed Soph, Ed Smith and Rich DeRosa. He was also a finalist in the Detroit Jazz Festival J.C. Heard Drumset Competition in 2017.
