Ari Hoenig (born on November 13, 1973 in Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania), is a jazz drummer, composer and educator known for  his unusual and intense approach to drumming emphasizing complex  rhythms in direct harmony with other group members. Ari is widely noted particularly for his drumming not being  relegated to just keeping tempo, or being a side issue to the music he  plays in, but rather for elevating drumming as an indispensable  part of the performance. Hoenig is also known for his unique ability to modify the pitch of a drum by using drum sticks, mallets, and even parts of his body (such as his hands and elbows). Using this technique, he can play any note in the chromatic scale, virtually any melody, and even improvise on a chord structure in the same way as any other instrumentalist would.

"Ari Hoenig is one of the most maniacally obsessive, spasmodic and musical drummers in jazz."

---JAZZ TIMES