Ernesto Cervini was raised in Toronto where, growing up, he performed with ensembles such as the Hamilton All Star Jazz Band and the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra, and was active as a drummer, clarinettist and conductor. He is also a proficient pianist. He received his bachelor's from the University of Toronto and a master's from the Manhattan School of Music. Based in New York and Toronto, he has performed with many jazz greats such as Joe Lovano, Clark Terry and Pat LaBarbera, and opened for musicians such as Herbie Hancock, Kenny Garrett, and Poncho Sanchez. He is a drummer with the groups ACQ, MEM3 and Myriad, has collaborated on a number of recordings, and released Here (2006) and Little Black Bird (2009) as leader with his own quartet. There followed in 2011.