Based in Los Angeles since 2013, Matt Hankle has played with Blue Man Group since 2003, including a year-long world tour of Europe and Asia, and leads his own bands: the rock group Vagabond Society and the fusion project Audio Collision. He has toured and recorded with Soul Asylum, Vonda Shepard, Tom Morello, Jonny Polonsky and John Fogerty, and was guitarist Kaki King’s drummer from 2006 to 2010.
Raised in Teaneck, New Jersey, he toured with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus as a teenager, then played in the Concert Jazz Band at Frost. His theater work includes Chicago, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Rock of Ages and Mamma Mia!, including a 2017 production at the Hollywood Bowl.
Music is in the blood of Matt Hankle. Not only are both his parents and his younger brother professional musicians, but so are aunts, uncles and grandparents. Raised on a steady diet of MTV, Buddy Rich and Steely Dan records, Matt pursued music with a passion. At 17 he left high school and joined Ringling Bros Circus touring band, thus beginning his professional career.
After attending a few semesters at University of Miami on full scholarship, playing in their renowned Concert Jazz Band, Matt chose to leave school so he could get back to working in the real world. During his ten years in New York City Matt played for the following Broadway musicals: Chicago, Mamma Mia, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Rock of Ages. Matt has toured and recorded with numerous artists, from many genres, including but not limited to Kaki King, The Blue Man Group, Vonda Shepard and most recently Soul Asylum. In addition, Matt has recorded for several Motion Picture soundtracks. Matt currently lives in Los Angeles and endorses Vic Firth sticks, Remo heads, and Paiste cymbals..
