Previous | Back to Artists | Next

John Riley

Drummer John Riley began playing drums at age eight after receiving his first snare drum.  At age twelve, John heard his first jazz recordings, the soundtrack to “The Gene Krupa Story” and Max Roach's “Conversation”.    In 1971, John began studying with Joe Morello.  Soon after, he enrolled at the University of North Texas where he toured with the famed One O'clock Lab Band.  In 1976 he joined the Woody Herman Band.   He later returned to New York and freelanced with musicians including Stan Getz, Milt Jackson, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, John Scofield, Bob Mintzer, Gary Peacock, Mike Stern, Joe Lovano, the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, John Patitucci, Bob Berg, and many others.
John has a Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Education from the University of North Texas and a Master of Music in jazz studies from Manhattan School of Music. He is on the faculty of Manhattan School of Music, and SUNY Purchase, and is an Artist in Residence at Amsterdam Conservatory, Holland. John has written several books, including “The Jazz Drummer’s Workshop”, and has taught master classes worldwide.