Ron Brinson
Progressive Jazz Rock Percussionist
Inducted into the Indianapolis Jazz Hall of Fame in 2014
Ronald Wayne Brinson
(September 8, 1951 – November 4, 2003)
Ron Brinson was born in Spencer, Indiana but was known in Indianapolis and Bloomington as an accomplished jazz drummer having played with many notable local and international artists.
Brinson appeared on albums by Bloomington’s Uncle Remus, Ruben Alexander, and Windsong, and often played in a band with pianist Claude Sifferlen, saxophone player Frank Glover, and bass player Kyle Kegerreis.
He was the drummer in the band Hugo Smooth, a popular local band from 1976-1984, with an uncategorizable sound - generally considered jazz with new wave and progressive rock elements. Prior to Hugo Smooth, Ron also played percussion in a duo with Brian Paulson on electronic keyboard called Killer Sponges. He played on the album Eye Of The Beholder with Kyle Quass released in 2000. In the summer of his last year, Ron was a staple at Sullivan's Steakhouse on Friday and Saturday nights in a magical trio with Claude Sifferlen at piano, Joe Deal on bass and Ron on drums.
