Herlin Riley is a celebrated jazz drummer, composer, and educator known for his mastery of rhythm and deep roots in New Orleans music. Born and raised in New Orleans, he began playing drums at age three and later studied music at Southern University. Riley built an acclaimed career performing with legends such as Ahmad Jamal, George Benson, and Harry Connick Jr., and gained international recognition as a longtime member of Wynton Marsalis’s Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. Blending traditional New Orleans rhythms with modern jazz, he has released albums as a bandleader and remains a dedicated mentor, sharing the spirit of his hometown through performance and education.

David Torkanowsky is an acclaimed New Orleans pianist, composer, arranger, and producer whose work spans jazz, pop, film, and commercial music. A central figure in the city’s music scene, he has collaborated with artists such as Ellis Marsalis, Terence Blanchard, Irma Thomas, Aaron Neville, Allen Toussaint, and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, among many others. Known for his refined musicality and versatility, Torkanowsky also serves as a musical director, educator, and mentor, continuing to shape and celebrate the evolving sound of New Orleans music.

Tonight, the two join forces for a very special performance.