Hailing from Switzerland, multi-disciplined drummer/percussionist Mathias Kunzli currently splits his time between Los Angeles and New York City. He can be found performing around the globe in a variety of styles with artists and bands of many backgrounds. Additionally, his original work is featured in Film, TV and other multi-media platforms.

Music has guided Kunzli’s career trajectory for well over two decades. After learning the ropes in local rock, pop and folk groups as well as playing drums for the Swiss Youth Jazz Orchestra, he received two scholarships from Boston’s prestigious Berklee College of Music and moved to the United States in 1995. After graduating Kunzli relocated to New York City, where he got swept into the metropolitan’s diverse musical and multi-cultural scenes. 

Mathias has been Regina Spektor’s touring drummer since 2012, kicking off an arena tour as the opening act for the late Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Kunzli’s desire and ability to adapt to a wide range of musical styles have also enabled him to perform/record with artists such as Moby, Lauryn Hill, Yo-Yo Ma Silk Road Ensemble, Vieux Farka Toure, John Zorn, Marc Ribot, The Paul Winter Consort, Alessandra Belloni, Hal Crook, Jamey Haddad, Savina Yannatou, Yanka Roupkina, Gina Gershon, Keyhan Kalhor, Mark Gould, Mary Wilson, Steve Gorn, Howard Johnson, Brooklyn Rider, Theodosii Spassov, Bakithi Kumalo, Tony Cedras, Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, Matt Dariau, Frank London, Dominick Farinacci, Andy Allo, Steff La Cheffe, Erika Stucky, Magos Herrera, to name a few.

Mathias has appeared in some of the world’s most prestigious concert halls, arenas, and festivals including Carnegie Hall, Royal Albert Hall, Sydney Opera House, Radio City Music Hall, Lincoln Center NYC, Royal Festival Hall, Nokia Theater LA, Blue Note NYC, Ryman Auditorium, Newport Folk Festival, Montreal Jazz Festival, Montreux Jazz Festival, Monterey Jazz Festival, SF Jazz Festival, amongst others.

National TV appearances in the US include:Late Show with David Letterman, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Colbert Report, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Late Night with Seth Meyers, The Late Late Show with James Corden, The Late Show with Stephan Colbert and Good Morning America. 

In 2014 Mathias released his first album. “Playground” is a live recording of an all-improvised solo-show in NYC. His second album as a leader “A Lyrebird’s Wish” was released in August of 2024.

Mathias is grateful for having had the privilege of studying with a diverse roster of teachers including Jamey Haddad, Zohar Fresco, Joe Hunt, Ian Froman, Giovanni Hidalgo, Adam Nussbaum, Danny Gottlieb, Tommy Campbell, Hal Crook, Greg Hopkins, Marco Kaeppeli and Fritz Renold.

He’s endorsed by the following wonderful and supportive companies:

Sabian Cymbals, Cooperman Frame Drums, Agner Drum Sticks, Remo Drumheads.