Music OMH magazine describes the London based drummer, composer as “supremely subtle and melodic...dynamic and powerful”.  

 

MOBO nominated musician Rod Youngs has established himself as one of the most expressive and versatile drummers on the contemporary music scene. For over two decades Youngs’ approach to music has been all embracing covering a wide spectrum of genres but remaining firmly rooted in the the jazz tradition.    

 

A native of Washington D.C. Youngs’ developed an interest and appreciation for music at an early age. This interest gradually grew into a passion that eventually led to his studies at Howard University where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Applied Percussion. He later continued his studies at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y. under the tutelage of Keith Copeland. Since those formative years Rod’s consummate musicianship has garnered him a wide variety of work from concerts and recordings to sessions for radio, TV and film. He has performed/recorded with a formidable array of artists including, Lee Konitz, Bennie Maupin, Jon Hendricks, Gil Scott-Heron, Chico Freeman, Hugh Masekela, Gary Crosby, Natalie Cole, Mica Paris, Denys Baptiste, Abdullah Ibrahim, BBC Concert Orchestra, Julian Joseph, Nu Civilisation Orchestra, Courtney Pine, Ronnie Laws, Jazz Jamaica All Stars, and David Murray amongst others.   

 

In addition to performing, Rod is actively involved in music education. He has served as an instructor on the Glamorgan University jazz course and has conducted performance workshops for South Hampton University, Tomorrow’s Warrior’s Organization, Serious International Music Producers and The Round House. He currently provides private instruction for students of all levels and ages and serves as a guest artist at the Planet Drum School and the Julian Joseph Jazz Academy.​