Stich Wynston is a drummer, composer, bandleader and sideman born and based in Toronto, Canada and best known for his 30+ years as the dynamic drummer for The Shuffle Demons. He attended York University from 1980 – 1985 where he graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree majoring in music including studies in jazz with John Gittens and Lorne Lofsky, South Indian classical music with Trichy Sancharan and 20th-century classical music with James Tenney. During that time period Stich was also accepted to the world-renowned Banff School of Fine Arts summer jazz program for three years running in 1982, 1983 and 1984. While at the Banff School, Stich had the good fortune of studying with and playing with Dave Holland, Dave Liebman, Kenny Wheeler, Lee Konitz, Steve Coleman, John Abercrombie, Anthony Braxton, Albert Manglesdorf and Julian Priester.
In the late seventies while still in high school, Stich attended two Jamey Aebersold summer jazz clinics with a faculty that included: Dave Liebman, Tom Harrell, Slide Hampton, Ronnie Mathews, Hal Galper, James Williams, Ron McLure, Rufus Reid, Elliot Zigmund and Ed Soph.
Stich has performed with numerous jazz artists and ensembles including: Julius Hemphill, Charles Gayle, Jon Ballantyne, Phil Dwyer, George McFetridge, Mike Murley, Brownman Ali, Lorne Lofsky, Ted Quinlan, Bob Mover, Jane Bunnett, Holly Cole and Molly Johnson. Stich is also one of the co-founders and co-leaders of the legendary Shuffle Demons, a band with whom he has released nine CDs and toured with for over three decades performing at festivals, concert stages and clubs all over the world.
Stich has also worked with many prominent artists in more commercial settings including: Jane Siberry, Tom Cochrane, Alex Lifeson, Big Sugar, The Sidemen, Dr. Pop and the Noise, Kobo Town, Digging Roots, Da and Abolengo.
For the past three decades Stich has been one of the first call musical accompanists for dance in Toronto working at The School of Toronto Dance Theatre, Toronto Dance Theatre Company, Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre School and Company, Dancemakers, Ballet Creole, The National Ballet of Canada School, York University Dance Department, Ryerson University Dance Department, George Brown College Dance Department and many more working with the top dance teachers and choreographers both locally, domestically and internationally. Stich has also toured with the Ballet Creole Company performing in theatres across southern Ontario.