Bio
Hailing from Orange, CT/New Haven County, Ryan Sands has worked his way to becoming one of the top young drummers in his field. His emphatic performances have landed him performances with Terell Stafford, Geoffrey Keezer, Wayne Escoffrey, Tamir Hendleman, Lucy Yeghiazaryan, and Jason Marsalis. He holds the drum chair for Christian Sands and Altus. Ryan has performed in the pit of the Ain’t Misbehavin, under the direction of Jeffrey Page, and done music for Dominique Morisseau’s Paradise Blue under the direction of Alphonso Horne.
Ryan’s musical education includes a BA in Jazz Performance from the New England Conservatory and an MA in Jazz Arts from the Manhattan School of Music. For teaching, he has taught for Neighborhood Music School in New Haven, CT, and iSchool of Music and Art in Shanghai. He currently teaches private drums at Yale University for their Yale Undergrad Jazz Collective.
Ryan’s recording credits include Christian Sands’ Risin’, Christmas Stories, and his upcoming record in 2024. Altus’ Riot Cycles and Mythos. David Knowles's Blackest Night. Shihai Li’s Inner Rhythm. As a bandleader Ryan released his debut record, Standing On the Edge of Tomorrow, and will be releasing his sophomore record, Forest Road: Live at the Side Door, in 2024.
Ryan currently endorses Canopus Drums and Paiste Cymbals.