Yousif Sheronick has performed around the globe to critical acclaim, genre hopping with leading artists in the classical, world, jazz and rock music arenas. The New York Times hails Yousif for his “dazzling improvisations” and his “wizardry on a range of humble frame drums”. Of Lebanese descent, Yousif was recently featured in Drum! Magazine highlighting his versatility in an article titled “At The Corner Of The World”. His influences are far reaching as he grew up playing rock and roll drum set, studied classical percussion through a masters degree at Yale University and went on to study music from Brazil, India, Africa and the Middle East. These combined influences propelled Yousif into performances with Philip Glass, Yo-Yo Ma, Lark Quartet, Ethos Percussion Group, Branford Marsalis, Sonny Fortune, Cindy Blackman Santana, Glen Velez and Paul Winter. His many musical influences are highlighted in duoJalal, his venture with violist and wife Kathryn Lockwood. A major force in bringing world percussion into contemporary/classical music, Yousif has had the luxury of working with composers Evan Ziporyn, Derek Bermel, Kenji Bunch, Lev “Ljova” Zhurbin and John Patitucci, all of whom were eager to compose for his exotic instruments. Critics say Yousif “is capable of creating hypnotic atmospheres” (Mundoclasico) where he “transported the listener to another dimension.” (Ritmic).
As a composer and arranger Yousif has contributed several solo and ensemble works resulting in performances of his music around the world. He has arranged several parts for his collaboration with the Lark Quartet including John Adams’ “Book of Alleged Dances” which was released on Bridge Records. Also in demand as an educator Yousif teaches private lessons and classes at his home in New York and has conducted residencies and master classes at top universities including Manhattan School of Music, University of Michigan, University of Kentucky, the Queensland Conservatorium and National University in Australia. His producing credits include a solo CD and two instructional DVDs. “A testimony to his genius” raves Modern Drummer Magazine about Yousif’s CD Silk Thread, and Rhythm Magazine (UK) says Yousif’s Riq Instructional DVD “is a must to uncover the mysteries of this ancient instrument.” He has appeared throughout North and South America, Europe, Middle East, Asia and Australia with festival appearances including the JVC and Newport Jazz Festivals, Jazztel (Madrid), Renaissance Festival (Rethymno, Greece) Early Music Festival (Regensburg, Germany) and Jerusalem Festival (Palestine). Prestigious venue performances include Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Hollywood Bowl, Royal Festival Hall (London) and Wigmore Hall (London). He has performed live on NPR’s “Performance Today” and John Schaffer’s “New Sounds.” Yousif holds degrees from Yale University and the University of Iowa.
Yousif gratefully endorses products from Cooperman Drums, Sabian Cymbals, Innovative Mallets and Pearl/Adams.