“An American Original.” — Jimmy Chamberlin
“One of the most mindful and technical drummers of our time.” — Machinedrum
“At the forefront of contemporary drumming.” — Virgil Donati
Steve Lyman is a Brooklyn-based drummer, composer, producer, and educator working at the intersection of contemporary jazz, experimental, electronic, and alternative music. Internationally recognized for his singular voice on the drumset, Lyman is known for combining deep rhythmic intention with advanced technical fluency, creating music that is as textural and exploratory as it is visceral.
Named #2 Up & Coming Drummer by Modern Drummer Magazine in 2020, Steve has collaborated with an expansive roster of forward-thinking artists, including José James, Jon Batiste, Machinedrum, Donny McCaslin, Jimmy Chamberlin, Ben Lukas Boysen, BlankFor.ms, and members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, among many others. His upcoming release, SIGNAL TO BURNING, features Cedric Bixler-Zavala (The Mars Volta), pianist Tigran Hamasyan, and Nathan Schram of the Attacca String Quartet, further cementing his role as a boundary-pushing voice in contemporary music.
Beyond his work as a collaborator, Steve is an active composer and producer, crafting original projects that blend experimental composition, electronic sound design, ambient textures, and alternative song forms. His work consistently challenges traditional roles of the drumset while expanding its expressive and compositional possibilities.
A deeply committed educator, Steve is currently faculty at The New School in New York City and regularly teaches masterclasses at leading institutions worldwide. In addition, he is the founder of the CONTEMPORARY DRUMMING SCHOOL, a new online platform dedicated to developing modern drummers through concept-driven technique, musical depth, and creative independence. Through both formal education and independent study, Steve has mentored and taught drummers across genres at the highest level.
Steve Lyman is an artist of: Istanbul Agop Cymbals, Vic Firth Drumsticks and Remo Drumheads.