Mikiya Ito

Session Drummer

Mikiya Ito on SoundBetter

My approach to recording sessions is focusing on your musical and creative vision to bring your next project to life!

I was born and raised in Japan and have been playing drums since the age of seven. My father who is also a musician (singer and songwriter) influenced me to go into music. Into my teenage years, my musical interests expanded to include the Afro-Cuban, funk, soul, hip hop and jazz genres. I moved to New York City in January 2016 to pursue my music career as a professional drummer.

In recent years, I have performed at the New York Fashion Show, The W Hotel in Times Square, The Public Theatre, Joe's Pub, Shiva Theatre, The Groove, Cornelia Street Cafe, The Bitter End, Webster Hall, Rockwood Music Hall, Bowery Electric, The Pianos, KGB Bar, Pangea, Pete's Candy Store, Bushwick Public House, Chez Josephine, The Greats of Craft, and many other places in NYC. I have also toured across the United States with the Dylan Doyle Band several times in the past few years.

Send me a note through the contact button above.

Interview with Mikiya Ito

  1. Q: What's your typical work process?

  2. A: I like to hop on video/phone call with my client first, it's important for me to get to know them and for them to feel comfortable to tell me what's exactly they like to hear on their project.

  3. Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

  4. A: Marcus Gilmore, Nate Smith, Brian Blade, Ulysses Owens Jr., Jonathan Barber, etc.

  5. Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

  6. A: 20 years since started playing the drums, 5 years since started working as a drummer in NYC.

  7. Q: How would you describe your style?

  8. A: Jazz/Funk/Polyrhythms

  9. Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

  10. A: Live performance, custom drum loops, remote/in person recording session.

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