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In March, Off the Rails is privileged to host MOBO nominated musician Rod Youngs and his Quartet. Rod has established himself as one of the most expressive and versatile drummers on the contemporary music scene. For over two decades his approach to music has covered a wide spectrum of genres while remaining firmly rooted in the jazz tradition. 

A native of Washington D.C., Rod developed an interest and appreciation for music at an early age. This interest 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.

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 Southampton University, Tomorrow’s Warriors, Serious International Music Producers and The Roundhouse. 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. 

Rod is joined at Off the Rails by Denys Baptiste, a legend of British jazz and one of the most sought-after saxophonists in the country; celebrated guitarist Jo Caleb and Rod's long-time collaborator bassist Larry Bartley. Together they will play highlights from the Blue Note record label.