Herlin Riley and Friends: Jazz Musician in New York

About Herlin Riley and Friends

Herlin Riley and Friends centers on drummer Herlin Riley in a small-group jazz setting, often shaped by ballads as much as swing. The project reflects Riley’s long-running role as a first-call collaborator, with shared bandstands that include Akira Tana, Atsuko Hashimoto, and Skylar Tang. In New York City, the group is heard at Dizzy’s Club, where the room’s close acoustics reward detail and dynamics. The playing favors clarity over spectacle, with timekeeping that stays firm while leaving space for conversation.