Aaron is that guy in the back next to Cory. Yes, the one singing back-up vocals and shaking the tambourine. Occasionally, you might catch a closer glance of this rare breed of not-tone-deaf drummer when he approaches the front of the stage to sing a Stevie Wonder tune or some Journey or something like that. Since starting to perform with band back in 2003, the drums and percussion duo in the back has helped drive the Sharp Circle party through many long wild nights around central Ohio.

Aaron has been drumming since he was 13, after a brief 4-year romance with the saxophone in elementary and middle school. Always a fan of many different types of music, he participated in a variety of musical settings throughout high school and college, ranging from jazz combos, backing jazz choirs, jams bands, metal bands, steel drum band, Indian music ensembles, and more. His wide range of musical interests exposed him to the many different percussion instruments of foreign cultures, and he began to branch off from the drumset to learn about them.

Aaron’s wide understanding of ethnic percussion has allowed him to travel with the internationally acclaimed Global Rhythms ensemble since 2000, taking him to perform at prestigious venues such as the Nassau Coliseum, the Hollywood Bowl, and numerous universities around the country (including MIT, Cornell, and Duke). In 2007, he had the distinct honor of being invited to India to perform as a featured soloist with the group at the Saraang Music Festival in Chennai, as well as the Yi Summit in Mumbai.

When Cory and Aaron met in Columbus in 2003, they began talking about their respective musical endeavors. When Cory expressed interest in expanding the band to include a percussionist, it wasn’t long before Aaron found himself learning their repertoire, and rehearsing with Sharp Circle. The rest is, as they say, history.

Sharp Circle is a great outlet for Aaron, as he gets the opportunity to play some his favorite songs with some of the most talented musicians he’s ever met… and they just happen to also be great friends. Having years to develop, the rhythm section of Sharp Circle is one of the tightest you’ll find in Ohio, and definitely one of the most energetic anywhere.

Aside from Sharp Circle, Aaron keeps himself busy by teaching private lessons. He also teaches as an adjunct faculty member of Mount Vernon Nazarene University’s music department. Aaron also performs regularly with the New Basics Brass Band, the 456 trio (featuring Jason and pc of Sharp Circle), and fills out his schedule recording at Tom Atha’s Earthwork Recording Studio (www.earthworkrecording.com) in Newark, OH, where he has had the opportunity to work with many talented up and coming artists. Most notably, Aaron, like Jason, also recorded on Kevin Dean’s recent release “Long Live the Ashes.” (www.longlivetheashes.com) 

As a member of the Meinl Pro Player Program, Aaron proudly plays all Meinl percussion instruments with Sharp Circle. (www.meinlusa.com)