Coming from a very musical family and distinguished bloodline of drummers, New Orleans native Herlin Riley emerged from the fertile creative soil of the Crescent City, encompassing as it does the entire length and breadth of America’s ongoing musical journey. Riley’s authoritative style of melodic percussion has enlivened the ensembles of such influential and demanding improvisers as pianist Ahmad Jamal and trumpeter Wynton Marsalis.

Having played drums since he was three years old, the legendary performer both embodies the “big tent” of New Orleans musical styles. In addition to helping younger musicians develop their own voices, Riley stands on the shoulders of giants. “As a boy growing up in New Orleans, way before you heard that big bass drum in the street parades, you could feel it coming from four or five blocks away, and it would literally beckon you to come on down to the street, check out this music, and participate in it. In everything I play, there’s some reference from my own personal experience, and while it may not be explicit, it’s all underneath there somewhere.”