Charleston Jazz Festival | Masterclass with Percussionist Herlin Riley

This free, open-to-the-public masterclass is a rare chance to see a legendary artist share his rhythm, stories, and musical insight up close. Musicians, students, and jazz lovers alike will be inspired by this dynamic, interactive session with legendary percussionist Herlin Riley.

Monday, April 20 at 6PM
Charleston Jazz Academy

No ticket needed—just come ready to feel the groove. Registration is encouraged but not required.

The Herlin Riley performance and education programs are presented as part of Jazz Is Community, an initiative in partnership with Spoleto Festival USA. The education components include an in-school performance, a masterclass at the Charleston Jazz Academy, and the public Rhythm and Flow panel discussion and performance.

This initiative is generously supported by the Donaldson Charitable Trust and Hilton C. Smith Jr., and in part by a grant from South Arts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the South Carolina Arts Commission.

Herlin Riley

Since coming of age in the nurturing environment of a very musical family and a distinguished bloodline of drummers, New Orleans native Herlin Riley emerged from that most creative era of all things rhythmic in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, to enliven the ensembles of such influential and demanding improvisers as pianist Ahmad Jamal and trumpeter Wynton Marsalis through his commanding yet elegant rhythmic presence.

His authoritative style of melodic percussion is deeply imbued in the fertile creative soil of the Crescent City, encompassing as it does the entire length and breadth of America’s ongoing musical journey.