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Varun Das
VARUN DAS (endorser of Yamaha, Remo, and Sabian) is an emerging star drummer, composer, and educator based in New York.
About Me
Das’ unique sound comes from the sophisticated
rhythms of Indian classical music, the rich soul of
Jazz/ Black American Music, and the energetic
atmosphere of progressive rock. Das is nationally
recognized in the jazz and fusion world in addition
to the Indian music world - both commercial and
niche.
Das, having completed his studies at the
Manhattan School of Music, graduating with a
Bachelor of Music in 2022 and a Master of Music
in 2024 (both in Jazz Performance) is mainly a
freelance artist whose creativity has touched
various corners of the world. In the Jazz World, he
has recorded with Joey Defrancesco, Dayna
Stephens, Charles Altura, Matt Brewer, Luis
Perdomo, and graced the stage with groups led
by Miguel Zenon, Kavita Shah, Manuel Valera, and
Summer Camargo to name a few. As one of the
most sought-after South Asian drummers in the
U.S., Das is a core member of Brooklyn’s
renowned Punjabi brass band Red Baraat, the
folk-blues collective Hazmat Modine. He has also
performed with Kavita Krishnamurthy, L
Subramaniam, Suresh Wadkar, Varijashree
Venugopal, Abby V. KJ Yesudas, Vijay Yesudas,
Mani Sharma, Jeffrey Iqbal and many other icons
from India.
Das was selected for several prestigious national
jazz honors. Notably, in 2018, he was selected as
the GRAMMY Jazz Band drummer (also Grammy
Alumni band drummer in 2019, 2020 with pop
star Bebe Rexha, and 2022). In 2019, he was
recognized as a National YoungArts Foundation
finalist in jazz percussion. He was recognized by
DOWNBEAT Magazine as “Best/ Outstanding
Soloist” in the years 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022
in the college category of the annual student
music awards.
Through his music, Das shines light on his unique
background and communicates his outlook
towards society and tells stories of individuals
and places that have been of significant impact to
him and his upbringing.
