Artist Biography
Born in Pittsburgh, PA, Ian pleaded for drum lessons at the age of four, and got his wish at the age of six. He participated in the Mt. Lebanon Percussion Program for nine years, where he was introduced to music from Ghana and Brazil, Marching Percussion, and Orchestral Percussion. Ian attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA, graduating in 2018 with a B.A. in Performance. While at Berklee, Ian studied in Ghana for two summers under world renowned musicians Bernard Woma, Jerome Balsab, and Mohammad Alidu. He also traveled to New Orleans twice to study with drummers Stanton Moore, Shannon Powell, and Herlin Riley, who have all become mentors to him and have greatly influenced his style and approach to music.
In 2018 Ian packed up and moved to New Orleans, LA where he lived, played and toured for 8 years. Since 2019, Ian has been the full-time drummer for 2-time Grammy Award Winner Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience, with whom he tours and records. Playing hundreds of shows with the Zydeco Experience, Ian is also the drummer for Simien's 2020 release Ancestral Grooves and in 2023 Ian recorded with Irma Thomas and Terrance Simien for Disney’s new Tiana’s Bayou Adventure ride, which opened in June of 2024. Ian and his Zydeco Experience bandmates have an album slated for release in 2026.
In collaboration with New Orleans Trombone player Revon Andrews, Ian founded Funk Griot, a collective of young New Orleans musicians who fuse brass band, funk, hip hop, and rock. Funk Griot has released 2 singles and have performed on Good Morning Louisiana and appeared on WWOZ. Ian made his debut as a bandleader with his 2024 release of The Bonds That Make Us, a love-letter to New Orleans and Ghana.
Ian has had the honor of playing with some of New Orleans’ most esteemed musicians, including Ellis Marsalis, Ivan Neville, Irma Thomas, and Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Ian has had the pleasure of collaborating and recording with several upcoming artists throughout New Orleans. He also teaches privately through his Tunelark studio and locally in Pittsburgh at the Brighton Music Center.
When not performing, recording, touring, composing, or teaching, Ian is at home in Pittsburgh hanging out with his partner and his pet cat and dog. Ian plays Dungeons and Dragons, is a voracious reader, creates conlangs, and loves sports. He is a lifelong Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Newcastle United fan.
