Drummer since the age of 10. Grew up in Dallas/Fort Worth, TX and involved with the percussion section of the various school bands attended during my academic years. After school, he became involved with several musical projects around North Texas including numerous rock bands that performed in the Dallas music scene.
Life took him to Indianapolis some years ago and he soon joined Dr. Feedback, a rock outfit that played at several festivals here in Indy. He opened for REO, Loverboy and several other 80's bands. He got the chance to travel to Mexico and the Caribbean Island nations of Jamaica and Haiti. It was there he learned about World drumming and Afro-Caribbean rhythms. He absolutely loved it! So Ryan started combining rock's steady beats, with an afro-caribbean overlay rhythm blendid with my own since of freestyle licks.
His brand of music is world drumming, power drumming. It is not tied to any particular culture, ethnic group, or nation. There is no attempt at cultural authenticity. The rhythms are specially composed to be exciting, danceable, and multi-layered with lots of variety.
My sound is aggressive, progressive, modern, hard hitting as well as soothing and very up beat.
Ryan loves to perform for people, it has always been his passion. He loves sharing his music and talents with people. He also greatly appreciates constructive criticism for this only makes you better, stronger. Ryan guarentees that his music will move you, you'll find it catchy, foot tapping, energetic and it is my mission to provide this for you. Please keep an open mind while listening, don't think of it as just drums but rather a multi-layered rhythmic and percussive experience.
Ryan is a well known percussionist and drummer from Indianapolis, IN. His style of rhythm making is a mix of rock, Afro-Caribbean and African with his own style of hard hitting, up to date, progressive drumming using drums from around the world. He plays on an array of Djembe's, Ashiko, Conga's, Bongo's, Frame drum, Doumbeks and his favorite...the Gangan (Talking Drum).
It is with the Talking Drum that Ryan is able to create the melodies and harmonies that would typically be made with a stringed instrument. Ryan also creates the chorus and transitions using the Gangan. This is what makes his music making different, most composers use the drums to give the song a strong rhythm, whereas Ryan uses the drums to create all parts of the song.
Ryan has been a percussionist for over 25 years, beginning as a self taught drummer using everything from pots and pans to the side of bath tubs, sinks, tabletops, plates, trash cans, cardboard boxes, etc...
Although this helped to improve his skill, it drove his parents nuts!! So they caved and finally got him his first real drum kit at age 13. Then it was on to driving the neighboors nuts! After many summers of playing in the backyard and garage, he joined his first garage band at age 16. This was the band; Safyre (sapphire) from Fort Worth, TX, his hometown. His influences at the time were drummers from such bands as; Cinderella, White Snake, Kingdom Come, Rush, Motley Crue, Queensryche, Pantera and pretty much any other glam rock band of the 80's.
Along with drumming for a hobby, drumming also gave Ryan a since of escape from the everyday grind. Coming from a broken home and a torn childhood, the drums helped him to cope. The drums gave him the support needed to deal with life at that time. Therefore this became a passion, a way of life, a means of communication and self expression. He also pours his passion into his drumming. He considers drumming as vital as breathing.
"Calling" from "Spirit Ecstatic" in my home studio....hope you enjoy!
The Shaman's Journey
Thanks for joining us at Mumbai Taxi. It's another Summer of Love with--Psychedelic Mambo, Tropicalia, Soukous, Reggae & Soweto Beat. Turn on, tune in, and take a Taxi trip! We’ll keep you posted, or you can track us at twitter.com --- Philadelphia Phil & Mumbai Taxi -- Baba Akinwala Yudiddiyuh Griffin-Sledge Kevin Kouts Bill Moss
Namaste, my friend. The concert last night was AWESOME! Thank you so much for all the love and energy you put into your offering for all of us there. You are indeed a blessing divine!
Hi, Ryan. I hope that you are having a wonderful Friday. My daughter Amber and I are looking forward to seeing you perform tomorrow at the Healing Sound concert. Thank you so much for sharing the divine beauty of your soul as well as your awesome talent with the world! Be blessed!
"In his own magic circle wanders the wonderful man, and draws us with him to wonder and take part in it." ~ Johann Wolfgang Goethe
Mandala: A symbol of wholeness -- Mandala is the Sanskrit word for circle. In religious art, the mandala is used to symbolize wholeness - the circle of eternity. However, the pattern of a mandala -- a circle with a center -- reaches far beyond a two or three dimensional art form. Examples of mandalas are found in nature. Every cell in our body, for instance, is a living mandala. So is the iris of our eye, a snow crystal, a bird's nest --even a bicycle wheel. Look around - Can you see more mandalas in nature? in your surroundings?
Thanks very much for the request. I appreciate your interest.
Nice music! I've spent most of the last two years composing my next album, and it is really refreshing to hear someone else's percussion arrangements... Great stuff!
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