Ryan Elwood is a professional drummer based in Denver, Colorado. As a freelance musician, Ryan has the opportunity to perform a wide variety of musical styles with a vast array of artists including folk musician Chris McGarry and singer/songwriter Doug Haywood.
Ryan began playing drums at the age of nine. His father, who is also a drummer, was his first teacher. By the age of fifteen he was a working musician, getting his start with local jazz artists including vocalist Deborah Stafford, saxophonist George Keith, and the Jay Wieder Orchestra. Ryan spent most of his early twenties refining his improvisational skills with guitarist Eric Dorn before joining indie-rock band FaceMan.
In addition to his work as a sideman on stage and in the studio, Ryan can occasionally be found leading his own jazz and blues group. He is also on the faculty at Broadway Music School where he teaches private lessons.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Private Drum Instructor - 09/2002-Present
• Teaching snare drum and drum set skills to beginner and intermediate students of all ages
• Wrote Drum Set Concepts - Pop/Rock, a progressive method for learning drum set
• Preparing lesson material tailored to each student's specific needs
• Marketing and advertising
• Have coached percussion sections at Ranum High School and Westminster High School (Adams County School District 50), Aurora Hills Middle School (Aurora Public Schools), and Academia Ana Marie Sandoval (Denver Public Schools)
• Currently teaching privately as well as at:
· 08/2010-Present Broadway Music School in Denver, CO
- Drum and percussion instruction
- Taught class on African percussion at Stanley British Primary School (through Broadway Music School)
· 09/2010-Present Band Dynamics in Littleton, CO
· 05/2010-07/2011 Dog House Music in Lafayette, CO
- Taught group lessons and coached bands at 'Summer Rock & Roll Camp For Teens', 'Junior Rocker Camp', and 'Fantasy Rock & Roll Camp For Adults'
· 11/2007-07/2011 Metro Drum School in Glendale, CO
· 09/2002-09/2004 Keith Music in Longmont, CO
RECORDING EXPERIENCE
Studio Musician - 01/2001-Present
• Discography:
· Ryan McCarthy - (Coming in 2012...)
Played drums and percussion on "All Undone" and "You Don't Have To Be Alone"
· Chris McGarry - Bare Bright Halos (Coming in 2012...)
Played all of the drums and percussion
· FaceMan - FaceMan (February 2011)
Played all of the drums and percussion
Played organ on "DrippinFromUrChin", "Colfax", and "SippinDrips"
This album was selected as one of The 10 Best Local Releases of 2011 by Marquee Magazine
· The Que Pastas - The Que Pastas EP (December 2010)
Played all of the drums
Sang backup vocals on "Larry the Rhino" and "In The Sea"
· Eddie Lance - Emotion Sickness (December 2010)
Played drums on "Bloody Mary Christmas"
· Keith Curtis & Doug Haywood - Midnight Somewhere (September 2010)
Played all of the drums and percussion
· Chris McGarry - And The Weary Eyes Reply (May 2010)
Played drums on "Backwards Through My Veins" and "Tear Me Down"
· Stacy Price - Fly High (January 2010)
Played drums on "I Am Waiting"
· Banana Hammock - Yowser (2003)
Played all of the drums
· Banana Hammock - Banana Hammock (2002)
Played all of the drums and percussion
• Recorded demos with several other musicians/groups, including:
· Craig Haller (2010)
· Thom Sandrock Quintet (2010)
· Eric Dorn Trio (2006)
· Deborah Stafford (2002)
PERFORMING EXPERIENCE
Freelance Musician - 05/2000-Present
• Current Projects:
· 06/2011-Present Dustin Morris (pop/rock)
· 05/2011-Present The Tanukis (chamber/pop)
· 11/2009-Present Chris McGarry (folk/country)
· 07/2009-Present Thom Sandrock Quintet (jazz/fusion)
· 01/2006-Present Ryan Elwood Trio (jazz)
Leader of and drummer for the group
Auditioning, hiring, and managing other musicians in the band
Selecting and arranging repertoire
Marketing and advertising
Contracting events for large corporations, small businesses, non-profit organizations, restaurants and night clubs, as well as private parties and weddings
• Past Projects:
· 08/2009-08/2011 Stacy Price (pop/folk)
· 04/2009-06/2011 FaceMan (indie-rock)
· 11/2005-07/2010 Eric Dorn (jazz/funk)
· 11/2008-10/2009 Luke Rackers (jazz)
· 06/2005-05/2008 Vajra Blue (smooth jazz)
· 09/2002-01/2006 George Keith (jazz)
· 02/2005-12/2005 Jay Wieder Orchestra (big band)
· 05/2003-10/2004 JazzTrax (jazz)
· 03/2003-05/2004 Strand (pop)
· 07/2001-08/2002 Deborah Stafford (jazz)
· 05/2000-08/2001 EnerJazz (swing)
• Have worked with several other musicians/groups, including:
· Ron Miles (jazz)
· Doug Haywood (rock/country)
· Aakash Mittal (jazz)
· Aaron Keim (folk/roots)
· Craig Haller (pop/rock)
· Ukulele Loki's Gadabout Orchestra (chamber/pop)
· John Croghan (country)
· Willie Hammond (folk/jazz)
· Atomic Brass Project (rhythm & blues)
· George Nelson (blues)
· Steve Glotzer (folk/jazz)
· The Nancy Drews (indie-rock)
· Denver Brass and the Hot Tomatoes Dance Orchestra (swing)
· Jeremey Wendelin Quartet (jazz)
· John Hines Quartet (jazz)
· Swing Inc. Big Band (swing)
· Urban Island Steel Band (calypso)
· Tom Allan's Variety Dance Band (swing)
QUALIFICATIONS
• Playing drums since age nine, professionally since age fifteen
• Studied with great drummers including Nashville drummers Jim Riley and Jim White, New-Orleans drummer Chris Lacinak, and local drummers Gary Lefrancois and Christian Teele
• Member of educational organizations including the Percussive Arts Society and the Professional Drum Teachers Guild
• Affiliated with educational programs through Hudson Music and Vic Firth
TESTIMONIALS
"Ryan is one of the best percussionists in the city, a true professional."
Gene Davis being interviewed by Cory Casciato, The A.V. Club Denver/Boulder
"On the [Que Pasta's] self-titled, four-song EP, [Gene] Davis enlists help from Ryan Elwood of FaceMan, Era from the Tanukis and a handful of others to flesh out his cleverly written, melodically driven songs. The result isn't just good kid's music, but good pop music for people of all ages."
Eryc Eyl, The Denver Post Reverb
"Professional...Great Music...Good People! This is what the Ryan Elwood Trio is all about. I will book this trio time and time again. Bravo!"
Alyssa Groom, Corporate Event Manager, OppenheimerFunds, Inc. in Centennial, CO
PRESS PHOTOS
Head Shot (high resolution)
(8"x10" photo, available in color (3.47 MB) or in black and white (2.76 MB)).
Action Shot
(8"x10" photo, available in color (2.74 MB) or in black and white (2.33 MB)).
