Versatile and ebullient drummer Danny Coots is making his fifth appearance on Rose Avenue, this time with Dalton Ridenhour at the piano. A native of St. James, Missouri, Dalton has been a featured performer at many ragtime festivals around the country, and is a veteran of numerous recording sessions, concerts, and gigs encompassing styles of music ranging from country to pop to jazz. He is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music in Boston and has a master’s degree in Jazz and Contemporary Media from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. Dalton currently resides in New York City where he performs regularly with numerous jazz, indie rock and funk bands.

Since starting to drum at the age of 6, Danny Coots has performed in about 100 countries and has played on over 100 recordings, one of which won a Grammy in 2005. Based in Nashville since 1996, he has recorded extensively there as well as in New York and Los Angeles. Among the musicians he has played or recorded with are Dick Hyman, Houston Person, Bob Wilber, Johnny Varro, Jeff Coffin, Tim Laughlin, Vince Giordano, Rebecca Kilgore, Ken Peplowski, Duke Heitger, Neville Dickie, Bob Shultz, Nicki Parrott, Bucky Pizzarelli, John Pizzarelli, Yve Evans, Chuck Hedges, Warren Vache and Allen Vache.

“Danny’s versatility on the drums adds a rich dimension to the performances.… I’ve never seen Danny without a smile on his face, and he has an energy that electrifies everyone listening.”

—Larry Melton, The Syncopated Times

“Dalton Ridenhour has developed into one of New York’s top jazz and band pianists.”

—Ed Berlin, The Syncopated Times