Jason Winikoff is a scholar of percussion and the drumset and his work sits comfortably at the nexus of ethnomusicology and music theory. His research involves ethnographically-informed approaches to analysis.

Though his love of drumming has led him to a variety of music cultures across the globe, he has a special interest in the percussion traditions of Zambia, New Orleans, Ghana, and Haiti.

Winikoff is a proud student of multiple teachers from these traditions: Kapalu Lizambo, Josephine Sombo Muzala Chipango, William Vunda, Douglas Mwila, the late Samuel Samutala, Nomakanjani, Geoff Clapp, Jesse McBride, Emmanuel Attah Poku, J.S. Kofi Gbolonyo, and the late Damas Fanfan Louis. An avid fieldworker, Winikoff has made several extensive research trips to Zambia where he works closely with the Luvale- (and related) speaking peoples.

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Since arriving at UBC, Winikoff has helped teach the African Drum and Dance Ensemble. He is also a member of the 2020 Public Scholars Initiative as well as a recipient of the American Philosophical Society's Lewis and Clark Fund for Exploration and Field Research. Winikoff is the co-founder and co-leader of the ACTOR Project’s Sub-Saharan African & Diaspora music subgroup.

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Research Interests: Timbre; Percussion; Fieldwork; Ethnography; Analysis; Rhythm; African Music; Jazz

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Current Research: His current research focuses on timbre as a mode of cultural communication within Zambian Luvale makishi masquerade theatre. In conjunction with the Likumbi lya Mize Cultural Association and the International Library of African Music, Jason has been recording an album of traditional Luvale, Luchazi, Mbunda, and Chokwe music. He is also currently investigating the ways jazz drummers use timbre and auditory stream segregation to craft improvised solos.