Ryan Elwood is a professional drummer in Denver, Colorado. He consistently brings a high level of skill, professionalism, and artistry to a wide variety of musical styles including pop, country, and jazz. He is currently working regularly with several artists including singer/songwriter Doug Haywood, guitarist Thom Sandrock, and the folk/rock group FaceMan.
At the age of nine Ryan began playing drums. His father, who is also a drummer, was his first teacher. By age fifteen he was playing professionally, getting his start with jazz artists like vocalist Deborah Stafford, saxophonist George Keith, and the Jay Wieder Orchestra. Over the last five years he has honed his improvisational skills with guitarist Eric Dorn. More recently, Ryan has also been performing and recording with singer/songwriters Craig Haller, Stacy Price, and Chris McGarry.
In addition to his work as a sideman on stage and in the studio, Ryan occasionally leads his own jazz trio. He also teaches private lessons and maintains a roster of over twenty students.
RECORDING EXPERIENCE
Studio Musician - 08/2009-Present
• Discography:
• Doug Haywood/Keith Curtis - Midnight Somewhere (Coming Soon...)
• Played all of the drums and percussion
• FaceMan - FaceMan (Coming Soon...)
• Played all of the drums and percussion
• Played organ on "DrippinFromYourChin", "Colfax", and "SippinDrips"
• Chris McGarry - And The Weary Eyes Reply (May 2010)
• Played drums on "Backwards Through My Veins" and "Tear Me Down"
• Stacy Price - Fly High (March 2010)
• Played drums on "I Am Waiting"
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Private Drum Instructor - 09/2002-Present
• Teaching snare drum and drum set skills to beginner and intermediate students of all ages
• Preparing lesson material tailored to each student's specific needs
• Marketing and advertising
• Currently teaching privately as well as at:
• 08/2010-Present Broadway Music School in Denver, CO
• 05/2010-Present Dog House Music in Lafayette, CO
• 11/2007-Present Metro Drum School in Glendale, CO
• 09/2002-09/2004 Keith Music in Longmont, CO
PERFORMING EXPERIENCE
Freelance Musician - 05/2000-Present
• Current Projects:
• 12/2009-Present Doug Haywood (rock/country)
• 11/2009-Present Chris McGarry (folk/country)
• 10/2009-Present Craig Haller (pop/rock)
• 08/2009-Present Stacy Price (pop/folk)
• 07/2009-Present Thom Sandrock Quintet (jazz/fusion)
• 04/2009-Present FaceMan (rock)
• 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
• 11/2005-Present Eric Dorn (jazz/funk)
• Past Projects:
• 11/2009 Fiddler on the Roof (with the Broadway Believers)
• 11/2008-10/2009 Luke Rackers (jazz)
• 04/2008 Bye Bye Birdie (with Mullen High School)
• 11/2006-09/2007 The Nancy Drews (rock)
• 07/2006-09/2007 Universal Sunshine (rock)
• 06/2005-05/2008 Vajra Blue (smooth jazz)
• 02/2005-12/2005 Jay Wieder Orchestra (big band)
• 11/2004 Once Upon a Mattress (with the Coal Creek Community Theater)
• 05/2003-10/2004 JazzTrax (jazz)
• 03/2003-05/2004 Strand (pop)
• 09/2002-01/2006 George Keith (jazz)
• 07/2001-08/2002 Deborah Stafford (jazz)
• 05/2002 Leader of the Pack (with Berthoud High School)
• 05/2000-08/2001 EnerJazz (swing)
• Have also worked and/or subbed with several other local musicians/groups, including:
• Steve Glotzer (folk/jazz)
• George Nelson (blues)
• Atomic Brass Project (rhythm & blues)
• Luke Rackers (jazz)
• John Croghan (country)
• John Hines Quartet (jazz)
• Voltage To Violets (rock)
• Jerry Weiss' Peneplain Jazz Project (jazz)
• Matt Flaherty (funk)
• Tom Allan's Variety Dance Band (swing)
• Pam Rowen (jazz)
• Swing Inc. Big Band (swing)
• Aakash Mittal (jazz)
• Niwot-Timberline Symphony (orchestra)
QUALIFICATIONS
• Playing drums since age nine, professionally since age fifteen
• Studied with great drummers including Don Elwood, 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 Elwood teaches, inspires, and motivates my son to want to play the drums with more effort and feeling. He is always prompt, courteous, and teaches from the heart."
Sara Stump, parent of student
"We have been amazed at the progress our daughter has made in the five years she has been taking drum lessons from Ryan Elwood. Because he is kind, fun, and explains things clearly, she always looks forward to her lessons. Thanks to Ryan's personality and skill, she has developed into a confident drummer who is now the percussionist for her Middle School Band. She even practices voluntarily! Ryan is also totally dependable, never having missed or been late for a lesson in five years."
Barbara Fayeulle, parent of student
"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)).
