Herlin Riley

Herlin Riley is a legendary New Orleans-born performer and master of rhythm, widely celebrated as the "Groove Master" of the modern jazz era. With a career spanning over four decades, Riley is best known for his 19-year tenure as the rhythmic anchor for Wynton Marsalis and his foundational role in the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. A true virtuoso of melodic percussion, he famously developed the intricate drum parts for the Pulitzer Prize-winning oratorio Blood on the Fields, solidifying his status as a titan of American music. Beyond his work as a world-class sideman for greats like Ahmad Jamal and Harry Connick Jr., Riley shines as a dynamic bandleader of the Herlin Riley Quintet and the New Orleans Groove Masters.