Ryan Korb is an educator and performer. A native of Billings, Montana, Korb is on faculty at Baldwin Wallace University. He won the 1990 Governor’s Scholarship to attend the National Music Camp in Interlochen, Michigan. After music school, Korb sought out some of the most influential musicians in the country to study drumming and jazz. Drum-set great Jeff Hamilton and master Afro-Cuban musician Michael Spiro have been two of his greatest mentors and inspirations.
Korb has spent extensive time studying music abroad in India and Cuba. Ryan now co-leads the Afro-Cuban drum trio Africa->West. The trio plays original compositions based on traditional West African and Cuban music. In addition to their residency at the Baldwin Wallace University Conservatory of Performing Arts, the group has released four recordings. This fall the trio will be featured with Valerie Naranjo (Saturday Night Live Orchestra) at the Percussive Arts Society’s International Convention.
As a sideman, Korb has performed with Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Jr., Bill Mays, Russell Malone, Byron Stripling, John Fedchock, Llew Matthews, Tamir Hendelman, Valerie Naranjo (SNL orchestra) and Barry Olsen. In addition to drum set, Korb has performed as percussionist on the touring Broadway productions of "Wicked," "Spamalot" and others. Ryan has played on numerous recordings and has been seen at many jazz festivals and venues internationally.
