Thierry Arpino is a welcome rarity in the world of drummers. His ability to play any style of music from traditional jazz, fusion, world beat, African rhythms, Latin, rock and even techno makes him one of today’s most versatile drummers. And he does it really well - with passion, fire, grace and sensitivity to the music around him. Thierry describes his drumming style as "soft, loud, very fast or very slow, the thing is I want to play deeply. I love strength, force, intensity…I watch and try to feel as many things as I can. To listen and to hear, to me are different things. Being able to see and to look are different things. It’s true for everything around us. I can feel and I transcend. I get inspired by the musicians around me and more... the colors, people vibes, humidity, lights everything. I like all styles, I play the styles with my own touch, my ideas, I guess!”



Born in Paris, France Thierry Arpino was introduced to the drums at age 3 by his father, André. He graduated from the prestigious St. Maur National Music Academy in France, where he studied percussion with the master teacher M. Alain Jacquet. He also studied piano and harmony with the master teacher M. Serge Lécussan. Thierry Arpino came to America to continue his education at the Berklee School of Music and later settled in New York City in 1998. One look at his extensive résumé and you know why he’s an in-demand player. He has been drumming for fusion icon Jean-Luc Ponty for 9 years and is still going strong. Pick up two new, critically acclaimed recordings – Jean-Luc Ponty, “The Atacama Experience”, with Allan Holdsworth and Philip Catherine and Joe Beck’s highly-rotating “Tri07” with Santi Debriano. Thierry Arpino has been a member of jazz guitar legend Joe Beck Trio since 2004 and the Tony Purrone Trio since 1999. He has performed with greats like saxophonist Bill Evans. Great Keyboard player Philippe Saisse, also Sylvain Luc, Randy Brecker, Larry Coryell, Mark Egan, Richard Bona, Manu Dibango, and many, many more, great musicians. Thierry Arpino has even worked with world renowned composer, Michel Legrand and France’s most popular singer, Charles Aznavour.



You might hear elements of Tony Williams, Elvin Jones, Billy Cobham or Steve Gadd in Thierry Arpino’s playing. But make no mistake about it, Thierry Arpino got his own thing happening. He is a “powerhouse” drummer with monster chops who is as visual as he is musical. When asked about his explosive tom-tom fills, Thierry Arpino replies, “I used to practice 12 hours a day… I would try different fills for hours. I’d try to find something on toms to make myself smile but most of the time I got inspired by the music around me. Keep in mind that an explosion is not only playing loud. An explosion is created by what happens before or what doesn't happen before… Nuances, dynamics are all key.” He is in his element playing the most sensitive ballad to laying down a feel-good groove. Thierry Arpino comments, “I like to bring everybody together while we play. Starting with the groove and bring everybody into that groove. I focus on the dynamics, the mood, the colors.”



If you are looking to hear a cat with a fresh, creative musical approach to the drums, do yourself a favor and catch Thierry on tour with Jean-Luc Ponty or the Larry Coryell Trio with Mark Egan. If you are in the NY city area, you can hear him perform with a number of acts such as guitar sensation Gil Parris, Ray Gomez, KJ Denhert, Dave Anderson, Kip Sophos, William Lecomte, or the Burr Johnson Trio and of course, the Joe Beck Trio. You can also check out his playing on Jean-Luc Ponty recordings: “Live in Dreseden”, “The World Tour DVD” or “The Atacama Experience”, the new “Gil Parris and Friends Live” DVD (with Randy Brecker, Paul Shaffer) or give a listen to Patrick Peronne’s "Imaginary Sounds". Hearing Thierry Arpino play is an intense experience. You will walk away a “true believer.” Word on the street!