The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Buttonwood Tree to feature New Haven-born drummer Ryan Sands on May 28
MIDDLETOWN — New Haven-born drummer Ryan Sands, who began nurturing his passion and talents at his family church, will perform at The Buttonwood Trein Middletown.
It will take place May 28 at 8 p.m. at 605 Main St., Middletown.
Sands has been playing the drums since 8, according to a news release. His father purchased his first set of drums for a Christmas present for him when he was 2.
His musical education started at Neighborhood Music School in New Haven, and he attended the Educational Center of the Arts for his sophomore year, the news release said. For his senior and junior year of high school, Sands studied at Manhattan School of Music’s pre-college program for jazz studies, under the leadership of Felippe Salles, Jeremy Manasia and Richard Huntley.
“It was during a Thanksgiving dinner at a family member’s house where he sat at the drums for fun and discovered he knew he wanted to be a musician,” the venue said.
He furthered his studies at the New England Conservatory in Boston under Billy Hart and Cecil McBee, where he graduated, receiving a bachelor of arts in music performance (jazz studies), and went on to receive his master of arts degree in jazz performance from Manhattan School of Music, the statement said. “Wanting to expand his horizons, Ryan moved to Shanghai, China, where he became an on-demand drummer playing the local and international jazz scenes,” it added.
He has performed with many artists, such as Phil Markowitz, John Escreet, Shihai Li, Mark Zaleski, Jimmy Bruno, Christian Sands and Wayne Escoffrey. Sands has had the opportunity to give back to his community by working as a teacher at Neighborhood Music School, Educational Center for the Arts, summer jazz program for New England Conservatory, and Motts Hall II in New York for after school programs.
He also provides private lessons at home and around the world. He keeps an active schedule by touring with Christian Sands internationally throughout Europe, Asia and the United States performing at notable festivals and clubs.
“Sands continues to move forward by composing and arranging music for his band and fellow musicians,” The Buttonwood said.
His recent accomplishment is the release of his new album, “Standing on the Edge of Tomorrow,” produced by Christian Sands featuring Alex Claffy on bass, Max Light on guitar, and vocals by Katie Martucci.
For information on the artist, visit ryansandsmusic.com and Ryan Sands Drums on Instagram.
Admission is $15. See Buttonwood.org for details, call 860-347-4957 or email TheButtonwoodTree@gmail.com.