Adam Nussbaum has been called one of the best drummers in today’s music industry. He’s been a part of a virtual “Who’s Who”, in jazz, and has played with many other great drummers. John Abercrombie and Michael & Randy Brecker were longtime friends. Bob Brookmeyer, Eliane Elias and Stan Getz were also among his associates.
Nussbaum joined forces with other musicians to form groups such as “BANN”, w/Seamus, Jay Anderson, & Oz Noy; “We3” (w/Dave Liebman and Steve Swallow); “The Nuttree Quartet”, w/John Abercrombie; Jerry Bergonzi, Gary Versace; “The ZZ Quartet” w/Ratko Zjaca Simone Zanchini, Martin Gjakanovski.
He’s appeared on many recordings, including the Grammy-winning “Don’t Try This at Home” with Michael Brecker.
Nussbaum also reaches out and helps the next generation. His clinics and master classes are highly sought after. He teaches at Berklee, NYU and State University of New York.
His talents have allowed him to work alongside the best drummers. He helped to design the HiLite series of drums for Sonor. Nussbaum worked with Zildjian cymbals to develop the “Renaissance”, “Pre-Aged”, and “Renaissance” K. Zildjian cymbals. Hudson Music also produced “The Art of Playing Brushes,” which he co-produced.
Born in New York City, he grew up in Norwalk in Connecticut. He began playing drums at the age of 12, after having studied piano for five years. As a teenager, he also played bass and saxophone. In 1975, he moved to New York City to attend City College’s The Davis Center for Performing Arts. He settled down …. drums.