Booker Stardrum

Booker Stardrum is an inventive percussionist, improviser, composer, and educator based in New York. Known for his work with artists like Weyes Blood, Lee Ranaldo, and Cloud Becomes Your Hand, he is also a visionary artist in his own right. On solo releases like 2021's Crater, he constructs dense, pan-tonal collages of abstract rhythms and processed samples, developed from improvisations and retaining their fluid, unpredictable spirit. Stardrum comes from an experimental and classical music background -- his mother is flutist Stefani Starin, and his father, microtonal composer Dean Drummond, worked closely with Harry Partch. He studied jazz at SUNY Purchase, and played in several Brooklyn-based groups, including art rock bands Landlady and Cloud Becomes Your Hand, as well as absurdist experimental quartet VaVatican. Stardrum's solo debut, Dance And, was created largely using percussion, prepared drum kits, and synthesizers. NNA Tapes issued the release in 2015. His second album, 2018's Temporary etc., was a pan-tonal, pan-rhythmic collage featuring contributions from co-producer John Dieterich (of Deerhoof) as well as Jaimie Branch and others. Stardrum worked on several cross-disciplinary projects and commissioned works in 2020 and 2021. His third album, 2021's Crater, expanded on the techniques of his previous effort, rigorously constructing busy, intricate pieces from samples of improvised performances by an extensive cast of collaborators. -Paul Simpson (AllMusic)