Hi, I’m Donny Gruendler — welcome to my site. I am a Los Angeles based drummer, producer and tech head. I play on (and sometimes compose, play synths and/or produce) records for artists at all level of success. I enjoy working with people that care about music, and that want to push the boundaries of what they can currently accomplish musically.

I also love sampling, mangled-synth-textures, electronic noises, funky grooves, MPCs, all styles of music and anything with an infectious beat. I have received a Bachelors and Masters Degree in Music from Berklee and I have played with with Rick Holmstrom, DJ Logic, The Funk Brothers (Motown), DJ A-Ski (Unique 74), Kenny Burrell and John Medeski. I also have written a few instructional books and DVDs — and now teach at Musicians Institute. Currently I’m working with Rhett Frazier Inc in support of our new record Every Day is Saturday, which was released in February of 2012. If you are interested in discussing a musical project or checking out my PTHD drum recording studio…I am happy to forward you a cd quality demo and talk any time.

Official Bio

Donny Gruendler was born and raised in the diverse Musical surroundings of Detroit, Michigan. As a result, Gruendler grew up alongside an unusually broad range of influences including: Rock, Soul, Funk, Pop, Hip Hop, traditional Swing, Hard Bop, and Blues.

At age twenty, Gruendler graduated from Berklee College of Music with a Bachelor’s of Music Degree. At age 21, he earned his Master’s of Music Degree from Wayne State Univ. in Detroit, MI.

Gruendler now living in Los Angeles, California – can be found Performing in a wide variety of Musical genres. Gruendler has Performed, Programmed, Toured and Recorded Behind such diverse artists as Kenny Burrell, John Medeski, D.J. Logic, Rhett Frazier Inc., Rick Holmstrom, Kirk Flectcher, Rebecca St. James, Julia Fly, Denny Freeman and numerous other independent Los Angeles based artists. Consequently he has become and expert at performing with backing tracks, manually triggering samples, and playing with loops (both live and in the studio). Additionally, he has composed (and/or played on) numerous jingles (Remax On the Blvd Radio/TV Campaigns, KFC, and NPR), created content for sample and loop libraries (East West, Eclectic Ensembles) and even writes Music for TV and film.

As for education, Gruendler is a faculty member at Musicians Institute (PIT) in Hollywood, CA and he has authored the following instructional materials: Playing With Drum Loops – How to Work with Loops, Samples and Backing Tracks (Carl Fischer ), Creating and Performing Drum Loops DVD (Carl Fischer), Private Lessons Digi- DVD (Hudson Music) and Seeing Sounds Digi- DVD (Hudson Music).

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