Friday, May 9, 2025 | 7:30PM
sponsored by James & Rick Compton in memory of their mother, Susan
American Patchwork Quartet (APQ), led by multi-Grammy award-winning guitarist/vocalist Clay Ross (also the founder and guitarist of the world-renowned Gullah group Ranky Tanky), binds timeless American folk songs with jazz sophistication, country twang, West African hypnotics, and East Asian ornamentation. Nominated for Best Folk Album at this year’s Grammy awards for their first self-titled debut album, American Patchwork Quartet is on a mission to reclaim the immigrant soul of American Roots Music, APQ’s sound is a “masterful confluence of tradition and innovation, transcending culture, politics, and ideology. Showcasing the dynamic diversity of contemporary culture by reimagining timeless songs from America’s past, APQ is a “potent symbol of unity in diversity, standing as a testament to the notion that, from a collage of varied backgrounds, a coherent and beautiful whole can be fashioned. Mirroring America’s cultural mosaic, they stitch together a story that’s both intricate and resilient and the fabric of their music is genuine . . . each carefully chosen piece dives deep into America’s patchwork soul and shares the joys, sorrows, and unwavering hope of a nation crafted by shared dreams and diverse histories. It beckons listeners to meditate upon our shared identity and relish in the musical threads that bind us. Just as an intricately designed quilt becomes a cherished family heirloom, when the distinct patterns of APQ’s music align in perfect harmony, the result is both a blanket of warmth and a timeless treasure.” As the great ethnomusicologist and folklorist, Alan Lomax noted, “America has a patchwork culture made of the dreams and songs of all its people.” Led by Clay Ross on vocals and guitar, APQ also features Rini (Raghavan) on vocals and violin; Moto Fukushima on bass; and Rudy Royston on drums. Clay Ross is a 2x Grammy Award-winning artist and the founder of the Billboard chart-topping band Ranky Tanky. A native of South Carolina, Ross moved to NYC in 2002 and has since collaborated with artists as diverse as Gregory Porter, Snarky Puppy, and Bobby McFerrin. Winning multiple grants through the U.S. State Department, he has toured worldwide as a Cultural Ambassador. Rudy Royston, a Texas-born, Colorado-bred drummer and educator, is known for his dynamic percussion skills honed over three decades. His career, deeply influenced by the celebrated late trumpeter Ron Miles, has seen him explore various genres. Since obtaining a Masters in Music from Rutgers University and relocating to New Jersey in 2006, Royston has collaborated with jazz icons like Bill Frisell, Jason Moran, and Ravi Coltrane. His dedication to music propels him to continually expand his horizons. Harini (Rini) Raghavan, is one of New York’s great talents in Indian classical and film music. She is both a dynamic singer and expressive Carnatic violinist. Born in Chennai and trained in Indian Classical from a very young age, she moved to the United States to attend Berklee School of Music, graduating with a major in Electronic Production and Design. She has performed and recorded with Grammy winning artists such as A.R.Rahman and composed music for the trending Indian Netflix show ‘The Fame Game.” Moto Fukushima, bassist and Grammy-nominated co-leader of House of Waters, blends Western classical, traditional Japanese, and South American music into unique jazz compositions. A Berklee alumnus, he has worked with artists like Mike Stern and Dave Weckl. House of Waters’ albums have topped iTunes charts, and Moto has earned accolades like the Sports Emmy and ASCAP Plus Award. Currently based in NYC, his talents continue to resonate globally. Mel Minter’s Muscially Speaking review of APQ’s debut self titled album here!