About Shirazette

Associate Professor of Percussion at Berklee College of Music since 2021, Doctoral Student at National University (2026), Fulbright Scholar, drummer, band leader, educator, clinician, published author (Modern Drummer) and AFPA Certified Health and Wellness Coach. Shirazette Tinnin was born and raised in North Carolina. Her early influences were gospel music, R&B and soul music. Her stylistic influences would eventually expand into jazz, rock and music from many parts of the African diaspora. 

A graduate of Appalachian State University, Shirazette studied with Todd Right, Dr. Rob Falvo, Rick Dilling and Scott Meister. She studied and continues to be mentored by drummers Cindy Blackman, Lewis Nash, Terri Lynne Carrington, Ernie Adams and more. Shirazette received a full scholarship for drum set for jazz pedagogy from Northern Illinois University, where she studied under professor Ron Carter. 

A 2008 recipient of The Sisters in Jazz Collegiate All-Stars for IAJE (International Association of Jazz Educators) Award, Shirazette has also taught on the collegiate level at Columbia College in Chicago. 

Currently residing Boston and New York City, Shirazette was the house drummer for The Meredith Vieira Talk Show, Season 1 on NBC. 

Shirazette performs mainly with Dee Dee Bridgewater and raves about the altitude of growth she has experieneced being on the road with her. Tinnin also performs and records with premier bands and artists such as Toshi Reagon: Big Lovely & Eco Tones, The Allan Harris Group, Tia Fuller Quartet, The Mimi Jones Band, Nicole Mitchell's Black Earth Ensemble, Toshi Reagon, Women of the World Ensemble, Yuri Juarez, Queen Esther, Gabriel Algeria Afro Peruvian Sextet, Camille Thurman, Sydnee Winters, Natalie Douglass and many others.  Shirazette is also the leader of her own projects including the Shirazette and Sonic WallPaper Fusion Band (formally known as The Shirazette Experiment) and The Blue Popped Culture Trio. 

Shirazette is a bandleader in her own right and has toured national and internationally with her own projects, Shirazette & Sonic WallPaper Band, Moods of Her and she is releasiong music that will feature Christian Mc Bride in the fall to fulfill her 18th St Arts Center Award. Tinnin is an active clinician for programs like Jazz for Young People, Essentially Ellington and her own after school programs such as B3 (Books, Beats & Basketball) that was formerly held in Hawthorne under The Jewish Board pre-Covid.

As a certified personal trainer and published author Tinnin is passionate about preserving the health, wellness, stamina and integrity of her craft.  Her articles about performance and health advocacy have been featured in Modern Drummer and Tom Tom Magazine.

TINNIN’ ENDORSES:

Canopus, Vic Firth, Kickport, Latin Percussion, Beato Bags, and Sabian Cymbals