About this Artist

A native of Atlanta, GA, Wesley Sumpter joined the Los Angeles Philharmonic in September 2025 as Assistant Principal Percussion, appointed by Music & Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel. From his formative introduction to percussion in Atlanta’s public schools, he went on to study at the University of Georgia under Timothy Adams, Jr. and Kimberly Toscano-Adams and at the University of Southern California under LA Phil percussionist James Babor and Principal Timpanist Joseph Pereira. 

Sumpter’s connection to the LA Phil began long before his appointment in 2025: In 2018, he was granted opportunities as a substitute musician and then was selected as a member of the inaugural class of LA Phil Resident Fellows. This period shaped his artistic voice and embedded him in the creative culture of the orchestra and the city of Los Angeles.

Following his fellowship, Sumpter built a diverse freelance career, performing with major orchestras and festivals throughout the United States and internationally. He has worked under the baton of conductors including Esa-Pekka Salonen, Zubin Mehta, John Adams, Daniel Harding, and Thomas Adès, bringing a versatile and grounded musical approach to both orchestral repertoire and new music. 

A committed chamber musician, Sumpter has worked with number of contemporary music groups and festivals such as the Ojai, Cabrillo, and HEAR NOW festivals; Alarm Will Sound; International Contemporary Ensemble (NYC); LA Phil New Music Group; and Rocket City New Music.

Sumpter appears on numerous LA Phil recordings, among them multiple Grammy-winning projects and major film soundtracks. Beyond his orchestral work, he is a founding member of Lineage Percussion, an ensemble dedicated to collaboration and the creation of new work for percussion. He also performs and records with Misnomer, his Atlanta-based band blending jazz, hip-hop, improvisation, and groove-driven writing.

Committed to mentorship and access, Sumpter regularly leads master classes and workshops at universities and youth programs across the country.