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Todd Isler
About Me
Drummer and percussionist Todd Isler began his career on pots and pans in Mark and Marilyn’s kitchen at the
age of 5 and soon graduated to the basement, where the formal study of drums began. He was fortunate to
have grown up in Cleveland, where there was a rich and eclectic music scene. His early studies were with
Don Friedman in Cleveland and Lenny Nelson at Berklee College of Music in Boston. He later returned to
Cleveland to play on the local Jazz circuit and study with South Indian Mridangam master Ramnod V.
Raghavan at C.S.U.
Todd’s studies continued there with the Brazilian greats Portinho and Vanderlei Pereira as well as the great
Jazz drummer Adam Nussbaum. He spent three months in Chenai, India, studying with master drummer
Karaikudi R. Mani. Upon his return he released his first recording as a leader, Two Step, Duets and Beyond.”
2007 saw the publication of his book, “You Can Ta Ka Di Mi This”, a rhythm workbook for all musicians that
utilizes the South Indian syllable system to ground and expand one's beat. Todd also joined Phish bass man
Mike Gordon for 6 years of touring and recording from '08 to '14. Mr. Isler has also written several modern
dance scores and has performed with the D.C., Austin, and Sacramento ballets.
Over the years Todd has been involved in Jazz and World music. His collaboration with Danon O’Sow and
”Savanne” won the Disc Makers New York’s Heavy Hitters contest. That same year he was a winner of the
Jazziz Magazine Percussion on Fire contest playing an instrument close to his heart: the Hadgini drum, a
double-headed ceramic udu drum developed by Jamey Haddad and Frank Giorgini.
Todd has performed with many great musicians including Dave Liebman, Bakithi Kumalo, Mino Cinelo, Melvin
Sparks, and Mark Murphy, to name a few. He has appeared on hundreds of recordings using his unique feel
on Hadgini, Kanjira, frame drums and drum set. Todd was also part of a Goethe Institute-sponsored tour of
the Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya with the great mallet man Stefan Bauer.
Mr. Isler has conducted master classes at NYU, San Francisco State, and The Collective in NYC. To check up
on him, go to www.toddisler.com. Todd continues to teach and perform with his own “Todd Squad”,
International Orange, and The Aeolian Trio.
