Lamy Istrefi

Lamy Istrefi (born Bajram Istrefi Jr.) is a jazz drummer, percussionist, and composer who anchors the quartet of saxophonist Joe Lovano. Born in Mitrovica, Kosovo, he began playing percussion at thirteen before relocating at sixteen to Graz, Austria, to study drums and percussion. Based in Brooklyn, he has performed with Dave Liebman, Butch Morris, Curtis Lundy, Mino Cinelu, and Esperanza Spalding, and leads his own trio and quartet alongside the electric project Republique Electrique. In 2024 he released Sparkle from the Infinite with the Lamy Istrefi Quartet, an album featuring David Liebman, George Garzone, and Ben Street.