Martin Grubinger

Martin Grubinger is an Austrian percussion virtuoso who’s spent his career turning drum kits, marimbas, and pretty much anything you can strike into high-octane musical storytelling. Born in 1983 in Salzburg (a city synonymous with Mozart and classical tradition), he started drumming at age three under the guidance of his percussionist father and later honed his craft at the Bruckner Conservatory. Known for his explosive energy and genre-blurring collaborations, Grubinger thrives on pushing boundaries—whether he’s tackling Carl Orff’s thunderous *Carmina Burana*, unleashing avant-garde works like Péter Eötvös’ *Speaking Drums*, or fusing medieval chants with modern beats in projects like *Drums ’n’ Chant*. A regular at major concert halls and festivals worldwide, he’s become a poster child for redefining percussion as a solo art form, blending athleticism, theatricality, and jaw-dropping technique. When he’s not touring, he’s likely commissioning new works to keep his arsenal of instruments—and audiences—on their toes.

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