Michael Sarin

Michael Towne Sarin (born 20 September 1965) is an American jazz drummer noted for his work in New York City's avant-garde jazz scene.^[1]

Born in Stockton, California, Sarin moved as a child to the Puget Sound region.^[2] He studied percussion privately before attending the University of Washington and Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, where he focused on jazz and classical drumming techniques.^[3]

In the early 1990s, Sarin relocated to New York City, joining the downtown jazz and improvisation community. He collaborated with saxophonist Thomas Chapin^[4] and trumpeter Dave Douglas.^[5]

Sarin's drumming blends precise rhythmic frameworks with free improvisation, noted for its dynamic textures and polyrhythmic complexity.^[6] Influences include Tony Williams, Jack DeJohnette, and global percussion traditions.

• Member of Dave Douglas's core ensemble (1996–2002), featured on Five, Convergence, and Witness.^[5]
• Collaborated with pianist Myra Melford on The Same River, Twice and Above Blue.^[7]
• Drummer on Tony Malaby / Tom Rainey / Michael Sarin / Drew Gress's Apparitions (2003).^[8]
• Member of Anthony Coleman's Sephardic Tinge.^[9]
• Formed the trio Open Stream and the pandemic group Relative Motion.

Sarin has conducted masterclasses at the New York Jazz Workshop and contributed to drumming podcasts.^[10]

With Dave Douglas

• Five (Soul Note, 1996)
• Convergence (Arabesque, 1999)
• Witness (RCA, 2001)

With Myra Melford

• The Same River, Twice (Gramavision, 1996)
• Above Blue (Arabesque, 1999)

With Tony Malaby / Tom Rainey / Drew Gress

• Apparitions (2003)

With Anthony Coleman

• Sephardic Tinge (date unknown)

With The Other Quartet

• The Other Quartet (date unknown)

With Relative Motion

• Relative Motion (pandemic-era trio; date unknown)

• Steve Smith, "Michael Sarin". The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz. 2nd edition, ed. Barry Kernfeld.