New Orleans jazz drummer Herlin Riley is best known as a member of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and a longtime associate of trumpeter Wynton Marsalis. Born in 1957 in New Orleans, Louisiana, Riley grew up in a musical family and first began playing the drums at age three. Despite his early affinity for percussion, Riley focused primarily on trumpet throughout high school, eventually returning to drums full-time during his junior year of college. After college, Riley joined pianist Ahmad Jamal's band from 1984 to 1987. Also in the '80s, he found work performing with a bevy of name artists including Harry Connick, Jr., Marcus Roberts, George Benson, and others.