Brian Shankar Adler

Percussionist

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22 Reviews (9 Verified)
Brian Shankar Adler on SoundBetter

Are you seeking a creative drummer, percussionist and composer with a specialty in Indian instruments (tabla and many others), Brian Shankar Adler's work has been described as “profoundly exquisite.” Adler has worked with Bomba de Tiempo, Ballet Hispanico, LA Opera, Guillermo Klein, and been featured in Modern Drummer, DownBeat and NPR.

I'd be happy to play drums or percussion on your music, or compose music for your film. I can provide a custom tailored sonic palette with hybrid-global instruments, rich in textural detail and a creative rhythmic approach specific to your project. My passion is creating tasteful, forward thinking music that will make your project soar.

Drummer/percussionist/composer BRIAN SHANKAR ADLER has been praised for creating "profoundly exquisite music.. striking interior chords, where the heart and the mind's inner ear intersect..” ~Raul d’Gama Rose, All About Jazz.

With a background in Indian music, a conservatory training and over fifteen years of professional experience, Adler's expansive approach breathes life into virtually any setting. Adler has worked on a film with Chelsea Clinton, theatrical performances with LA Opera, Ballet Hispanico and Houston Grand Opera, commercials for ESPN, Dairy Queen and Appleton Rum, and performances with: Bob Brookmeyer, Bomba de Tiempo, Bombay Rickey, Shelia Jordan, Kate McGarry, Guillermo Klein, and Ray Vega. Adler has been featured in Modern Drummer Magazine, DownBeat, Jazz Times, and NPR's New Sounds. His most recent project, won best music video at Transcinema International Film Festival in Peru and at the 2020 Independent Music Awards. Adler has toured four continents and has been recorded on more than 30 albums.

Send me a note through the contact button above.

Credits

AllMusic verified credits for Brian Adler
  • Aria Rostami
  • Daniel Blomquist
  • Aria Rostami
  • Daniel Blomquist
  • Marc Lee Shannon
  • Four Across
  • Four Across
  • Four Across
  • Four Across
  • Four Across
  • Four Across
  • Four Across
  • Andy Gabrys
  • Out to Lunch
  • Out to Lunch
  • Theresa Perez
  • Scatman John
  • D.K. Davis
  • Kendall Payne
  • David Polk
  • David Polk
  • David Polk
  • Chynna Phillips
  • David Foster
  • Danny Peck
  • Chris Spedding
  • Brian Adler
  • Kirtan Rabbi
  • Prana Trio
  • Prana Trio
  • Prana Trio
  • Prana Trio
  • Prana Trio
  • Prana Trio
  • Prana Trio
  • Prana Trio

22 Reviews - 1 Repeat Client

Endorse Brian Shankar Adler
  1. Review by Colin S.
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    Brian is a total professional. I don't think you will find a better tabla player. I had him put tabla and drum set on my song. His percussion lines are exciting and creative. I highly recommend Brian for your project.

  2. Review by Saral N.
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    Brian is an incredibly skilled tabla player who was a joy to collaborate with. He understood my vision for my track and used his own creative abilities to come up with a tabla part that matched what I was looking for. On top of that, Brian is very professional, communicative, and friendly. If you're looking for a tabla player, I highly recommend Brian - you won't be disappointed!

  3. Review by Stéphane F.
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    Excellent Work Delivered.
    Brian did a wonderful job. It was great to communicate with him.
    He got all the information to do the right actions. He respected all the instructions, he was quick and on point!
    The quality of the delivered material was beyond my wishes.
    Highly recommended

  4. Review by Maureen H.
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    I really enjoyed working with Brian. While planning out the percussion, he noted anything specific that I wanted to include in the track and then added some creative elements from there based on the song style and structure, which I really appreciated! He was very responsive, and he provided a quick turnaround for the percussion stems.

  5. Review by Bartosz L.
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    Brian is a great musician and working with him was very quick and easy. He has delivered on what I asked of him and his recording quality is very high. The tabla tracks sound amazing and his playing is of the highest quality. I look forward to working with him in the future!

  6. Review by Brian H.
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    Brian is a very talented instrumentalist. Elevated my work x100. Thank you, Brian. I couldn't have done it without you!

  7. Review by Amal L.
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    Great tabla player, wonderful communication and high quality recordings! highly recommend!

  8. Review by Marcello M.
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    Brian did an amazing job, adding lots of textures and flavors to my song! Excited to work with him again in the future!

  9. Review by Gareth O.
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    Wow. This guy is pure talent. Nailed the track (first go) and exceeded all expectations.

  10. Review by Eric B.
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    Brian created a very beautiful tabla track for my song. Thank you Brian! Brian is fast and very talented; I very much recommend him!

  11. Review by Robert
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    by Robert

    Brian recorded percussion on a song of mine some years back, and it remains to this day one of the projects of which I feel most proud. That has a lot to do with Brian's playing, as well as his professionalism before, during, and after the session. He came well prepared, he was easy to work with, and he was kind enough to offer feedback and suggestions during the mixing process. Highly recommended!

  12. Review by Fraser Campbell
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    Brian provide some fantastic percussion for one of my projects. He was a pleasure to work with and super creative with his parts. Highly Recommended!

  13. Review by Fraser Campbell
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    Brian provide some fantastic percussion for one of my projects. He was a pleasure to work with and super creative with his parts. Highly Recommended!

  14. Review by Josiah
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    by Josiah

    Super professional and gets the job done right the first time! Such an excellent musician!

  15. Review by Gerard Edery
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    by Gerard Edery

    Brian Adler has played on several of my CDs (www.gerardedery.com) and his playing, attitude and spirit are the best. He is so easy to work with and his versatile playing is always right on the money. I highly recommend him. - Gerard Edery, president of Sefarad Records

  16. Review by Steve Lampert
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    by Steve Lampert

    An excellent and experienced percussionist informed by a wealth of musical knowledge traversing a multiplicity of cultural references, a creative and cooperative presence in the studio, it was my good fortune to have Brian take part in a recording project of mine. Highly recommended.

  17. Review by Ravi Marr
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    I have worked with Brian on concert pieces and recording projects. Of note, we created rearrangements of ESPN's iconic Sports Center theme for India and Africa. His knowledge of both markets' musical traditions, expertise, deep collection of drums and perc, and incredible creativity and chops were integral to this project's success. Cannot speak highly enough. Also great communicator and listener.

  18. Review by Evan McCulloch
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    by Evan McCulloch

    I have known Brian for 20 years and he really is the best out there! His contributions were extremely valuable to our band and his ability to play the right groove and add the right textures are invaluable. I would highly recommend using Brian as a drummer if you need somebody that is reliable and that cares about the music on a deeper level. He is always well prepared and takes time to know the music inside and out. It is very rare to know such a musician that puts in as much care for the music as he does for the people he is working with!

  19. Review by Kamala Sankaram
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    by Kamala Sankaram

    I have worked with Brian extensively over the past 6 years, both in improvised and notated contexts. He is a fantastic musician and a very tasteful player with a fine sense of style. He is also the rare player trained in Hindustani music who can follow Western notation. Highly recommended!

  20. Review by Nick Kadajski
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    by Nick Kadajski

    I have worked with Brian for over ten years. As a percussionist he is one of the best, if not the best, I have worked with. His sense of professionalism to every project that he works on is second to none. He has the ability to make you feel like your project is the only thing that he is working on and that it matters the most to him. He is an outstanding producer and knows how to get tracks to sound their best. As a composer and arranger he infuses all of his work with honesty and a depth of feeling and purpose that few can hope to achieve.I can't think of a better musician to work with.

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Brian Shankar Adler Reel

I was the drummer and percussionist in this production

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1 free revision. 3-5 day average turnaround.

GenresSounds Like
  • Zakir Hussain
  • Matt Chamberlain
  • Cyro Baptista
Gear Highlights
  • drum set
  • tabla
  • mrdang
  • pakhawaj
  • ghatam
  • dhol
  • kanjira
  • cajon
  • congas
  • bongos
  • udu
  • slit drum
  • bombo leguero
  • shakers
  • bells
  • found objects and crates filled with of other instruments.
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