About

Please click here to download a biography for use in programs and other publications.

 

Praised for his “spectacular performances” (Wall Street Journal), and his “unfailing virtuosity” (Chicago Tribune), GRAMMY®-nominated percussionist Ian Rosenbaum has developed a musical breadth far beyond his years.

As a passionate advocate for contemporary music, Mr. Rosenbaum has premiered over one hundred new chamber and solo works. He has collaborated with and championed the music of established and emerging composers alike, from Andy Akiho, Christopher Cerrone, and Amy Beth Kirsten to John Luther Adams, George Crumb, and Paola Prestini.

Mr. Rosenbaum was nominated for three GRAMMY® awards in 2021 for his performances on albums of music by Andy Akiho and Christopher Cerrone, including two nominations for Seven Pillars, an album by Sandbox Percussion released on Aki Rhythm Productions, a record label that Mr. Rosenbaum and Mr. Akiho founded in 2021. His recording of Andy Akiho’s LIgNEouS Suite with the Dover Quartet was nominated for a GRAMMY® award in 2022.

In 2017, Mr. Rosenbaum released his first full-length solo album, Memory Palace, on NS Tracks. It features five signature commissions, as well as collaborations with Brooklyn Rider and flutist Gina Izzo.

He has appeared at the Bay Chamber, Bridgehampton, Chamber Music Northwest, Edinburgh Fringe, Lake Champlain, Moab, Music from Angel Fire, Music@Menlo, Norfolk, and Yellow Barn festivals, and has collaborated with the Dover Quartet, Brooklyn Rider, cellist Jeffrey Zeigler, and violinist Kristin Lee. In 2012 Mr. Rosenbaum joined the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center’s Bowers Program (formerly CMS Two) as only the second percussionist they have selected in their history, and has performed regularly with CMS since then.

Mr. Rosenbaum is a member of Sandbox Percussion, The Percussion Collective, and The Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble. He has recorded for the Bridge, Innova, Naxos, and Starkland labels and is on faculty at the Mannes School of Music and the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Mr. Rosenbaum endorses Pearl/Adams instruments, Vic Firth mallets, and Remo drumheads.

Discography

Bathymetry (2022, Cantaloupe Music)
Sandbox Percussion’s third album, featuring an evening-length work for Moog synthesizer and percussion quartet by Matthew McBane.

Oculus (2022, Aki Rhythm Productions)
My recording of Andy Akiho’s LIgNEouS Suite with the Dover Quartet, alongside his works Deciduous and Speaking TreeLIgNEouS Suite was nominated for a 2022 GRAMMY® in the Best Contemporary Classical Composition category.

Seven Pillars (2021, Aki Rhythm Productions)
Sandbox Percussion’s sophomore album, featuring an evening-length commission by Andy Akiho. This is the debut album on a label that Andy and I founded, and it was nominated for two 2021 GRAMMY® awards – Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance & Best Contemporary Classical Composition.

The Arching Path (2021, In a Circle Records)
An album of music by Christopher Cerrone, featuring my performances of I Will Learn To Love A Person, and Double Happiness. This album was nominated for a 2021 GRAMMY® award – Best Classical Compendium

And That One Too (2020, Coviello Classics)
Sandbox Percussion’s debut album, featuring recordings of commissions by longtime collaborators Andy Akiho, David Crowell, Amy Beth Kirsten, and Thomas Kotcheff.

Gradus (2020, Albany Records)
An album of music by David Claman, featuring my collaboration with flutist Tara Helen O’Connor.

The War Below (2018, NS Tracks)
Andy Akiho’s sophomore album features his new septet, recorded by myself, The Knights, Vicky Chow, and Andy.

Memory Palace (2017, VIA Records)
My debut solo album, including commissions by Timo Andres, Christopher Cerrone, David Crowell, Tawnie Olson and Paola Prestini with appearances by Brooklyn Rider and Gina Izzo.

Patrick Castillo: The Quality of Mercy (2015, Innova Records)
Vocal and chamber works by Patrick Castillo.

Bridgehampton Chamber Music Festival LIVE (2014)
Featuring Howard Shore’s A Palace Upon the Ruins

Martin Bresnick: Prayers Remain Forever (2014, Starkland Records)
Six new chamber works by Martin Bresnick, including my recording of a piece I helped commission, A Message from the Emperor.

Music@Menlo LIVE (2014, disc 6)
Featuring George Crumb’s American Songbook II: A Journey Beyond Time with Randall Scarlata, Gilbert Kalish, Florian Conzetti, Christopher Froh, Ayano Kataoka, and I.

Paul Lansky: Textures and Threads (2014, Bridge Records)
A new recording of Threads with my group Time Travelers: Gwen Burgett, Ayano Kataoka, Svet Stoyanov and myself.

Music@Menlo LIVE (2013, disc 1)
Featuring Béla Bartók’s Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion with Wu Han and Gilbert Kalish, piano and Christopher Froh and I, percussion.
http://www.musicatmenlo.org

No One To Know One – Andy Akiho (2011, Innova Records)
Percussion on Ki Iro, to wALk Or ruN in wEst harlem, and NO one To kNOW one
http://www.andyakiho.com

Tango Distinto – Achilles Liarmakopoulos (2011, Naxos Records)
Marimba and trombone arrangement of Astor Piazzolla’s Nightclub 1960
http://www.achillestrombone.com/