The Jazz Room Presents: Herlin Riley

Overview

❝ A master of color, nuance, and dynamics, Riley mines his drums and cymbals for every possible timbre, often making somewhat unconventional combinations seem perfectly natural. ❞ 

— All About Jazz 

​The JAZZ ROOM welcomes, “The Groove Master,” legendary New Orleans drummer, Herlin Riley and his group, for an unforgettable weekend of grooves led by one of the world’s best drummers in any genre of music today. 

Born into a musical family steeped in gospel, blues, and jazz, Herlin was asked by Wynton Marsalis to join him in New York City in 1988 where Herlin stayed for almost twenty years, all the while maintaining a home in New Orleans. He is still a regularly featured musician with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, but has been based back in his hometown, when he wasn't on tour with Ahmad Jamal, Dr. John, or Harry Connick Jr. He lights up any stage with his presence alone, and always fires up the first-class musicians who love to play with him.