With a background in both drum set and percussion performance, Sam Ruttenberg has performed with the artists Dave Brubeck, Count Basie, Lionel Hampton, and Lena Horne to name just a few. Sam received a Bachelors Degree from the University of Miami, a Masters Degree from the Juilliard School, and has endorsements with Sabian, Vic Firth, Remo, and Ludwig.
He has performed regularly with the Pennsylvania Ballet, the Opera Company of Philadelphia, Orchestra 2001, and Salute to Vienna Orchestra. He is also an active drum set clinician, presenting clinics in the U.S., Europe, Ukraine, and South America.
Sam has toured and recorded with the Houston Symphony, Ballet, and Pops Orchestras, and has performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Radio City Music Hall, and the Kennedy Center. He also taught at the Settlement Music School (where he was Jazz drumming great Justin Faulkner's drum teacher for 7 years).
Sam was a longtime student of Joe Morello, and transcribed and worked closely with him on his Master Studies II book. He also wrote his own book entitled Drum Tips: Practical Ideas and Insights for Drum Set Performance (HoneyRock).
Sam also created the HingeStix® practice drumsticks that won BEST in SHOW at The NAMM SHOW 2011 and are sold worldwide.
