percussionist

noun per·cus·sion·ist \ pər-ˈkə-sh(ə-)nist \

|Updated on: 8 Jul 2018

Definition of percussionist

: one skilled in the playing of percussion instruments

See percussionist defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of percussionist from the Web

Over the past 30-plus years, the legendary percussionist has worked with Prince, Ringo Starr, Marvin Gaye, Gloria Estefan and many others.

— vickie snow jurkowski, Daily Southtown, "Melissa Etheridge, Sheila E., Salt N Pepa among female acts to perform in south suburbs," 20 June 2018
But the sounds are governed by sonnets of K. Silem Mohammad, heard at first only by the musicians (as cues, in their headphones), and later by listeners as the percussionists recite (sometimes in whispers) fragments while playing.

— allan kozinn, WSJ, "Romantic Lushness Meets Post-Tonal Grittiness," 30 May 2018
On July 7, Medina percussionist Ryun Louie is set to take the gazebo stage.

— mary jane brewer, cleveland.com, "Medina's Jazz Under the Stars summer concert series in jeopardy," 7 May 2018
Dessner is super excited about fans checking out acts such as Moses Sumney, hometown percussionist Ben Sloan and Sam Amidon.

— gil kaufman, Billboard, "The National on Bringing Their Friends to Cincinnati for MusicNow & Homecoming Festival Double-Bill," 26 Apr. 2018
The texts, to be spoken by the percussionist, came from a bewildering array of sources: obscure passages from Twain and Dickens, a Mother Goose rhyme.

— david weininger, BostonGlobe.com, "Category-defying music, left-wing stance in composer’s provocative piece," 6 June 2018
He's joined by lad guitarist Johnny A, bassist Kenny Aaronson, singer/blues harpist/percussionist Myke Scavone and singer-guitarist John Idan.

— ed masley, azcentral, "Concerts in Phoenix in June 2018: Post Malone, Kesha, Macklemore, Maroon 5, Nipsey Hussle, Chicago," 5 June 2018
Featuring clarinetist Carrie RavenStem, pianist Jessica Dorman, percussionist Tanner Leonardo, violinist Paolo Manrique-Land, flutist Kaelah McMonigle, cellist Jon Silpayamanant, and baritone Chad Sloan.

— gege reed, The Courier-Journal, "Concerts to see this week in Louisville: Willie Nelson to Ben Sollee," 18 May 2018
All night Amanda Morton, music director, plays piano, backed up by percussionist Michael McCoy Reilly.

— hugh hunter, Philly.com, "'Peter and the Starcatcher' at Theatre Horizon: Unbridled, unpredictable, riotously funny," 4 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'percussionist.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.