The Oscillators (l-r): Glen Oliff, John Lee, Charles Ostle, and Matt Rippetoe

Charles Ostle is becoming one of the more sought after drummers in D.C.’s jazz scene, especially amongst the crop of younger players that have emerged over the past few years. In addition to performing with groups such as Inner Loop, Motel, and others, Ostle also chose to start his own band, a relatively rare step for a drummer to take. His group, The Oscillators, will be releasing its debut album, Beat Tectonics, on September 7th at the Bossa Bistro & Lounge.

Ostle studied piano as a young child, but the drumset has been his main instrument since his middle school days. His earliest influences were The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Primus, Led Zeppelin, and Sting’s Ten Summoner’s Tales. After hearing drumming icon Tony Williams on Miles Davis’s classic, Four & More Ostle decided to follow his muse through jazz. As a musician, he also benefited from formal studies in mallet percussion throughout college and has studied with some of the best drumming teachers in the country, including Joe Morello, John Ramsay, and Steve Fidyk.

The Oscillators features Ostle on drums and electronics, bassist Glen Oliff, as well as Three Stars alums Matt Rippetoe and the ubiquitous John Lee on saxophone and guitar, respectively. The recently profiled Rob Coltun, musician and owner of the Bossa Bistro & Lounge, acted as executive producer of Beat Tectonics while Doug Derryberry, who has worked with everyone from O.A.R. to Bruce Hornsby, engineered the recording. The album is a strong example of contemporary jazz fusion. The compositions incorporate the odd-meters and angular melodies characteristic of the genre, but the ensemble never sacrifices a strong groove for instrumental pyrotechnics.