Ryan Engelbert is a
DRUMMER and songwriter
in NEW YORK CITY.

His songs and performances can bring you deep into a vividly expansive moment, and get you lost in the pure joy of a powerful backbeat. Ryan somehow toes the line between being poetically expressive and unabashedly intentional. His drumming, which is rooted in funk, rock, and jazz, lands in a beautifully unspecific place between straight and swing.

After years of writing and playing extensively at venues and clubs close to home on Long Island, NY, Ryan moved to New York City in 2011 to continue to hone his craft as a songwriter, as well as perform as a bandleader and supporting musician.

Along with his longtime musical partner, James Boone (guitar), and his then friend, and now wife, Tina Lama (bass), Ryan co-founded an instrumental jazz-funk group called Vintage Language Trio (VL3) in 2012. The band quickly booked a weekly residency in Astoria, Queens, and two other monthly residencies in Brooklyn and Manhattan. Though the trio wrote original music, the early gigs especially leaned heavily on improvisation and spontaneous creativity. The years with Vintage Language Trio shaped Ryan’s ability to create in the moment and solidified his love and appreciation for jazz, groove, and modern greats like Brian Blade, Bill Stewart, Billy Martin, John Scofield, and Charlie Hunter.

In 2015, Ryan co-founded The Narrows—a rock trio with musical influences ranging from jazz and blues to jam bands and ethereal guitar loops. After their first EP “Cover in Words” (2018), which features Mike Landry (guitar and vocals) and James Boone (bass), the band continues to gig around the northeast US.

When the pandemic hit, Ryan took a respite from drumming, picked up his guitar, and began a new era of songwriting and a deep, introspective stylistic journey to discover his own refreshed perspective on creating music. The result was an avalanche of new tunes coming in forms that ranged from 30-second compositions to full-length album releases. From 2019-2021, Ryan wrote dozens of songs and self-released four albums, two EPs, and 5 singles under the name Ryan Engelbert & The Little Victories. He continues to write, perform, and release under this name.

Ryan has had the joy of playing alongside many wonderfully creative and talented musicians, including Tina Lama, Hyuna Park, Yasuno Kasuki, Rench (Gangstagrass), and Alex Battles. He’s performed at venues like Rockwood Music Hall, The Cutting Room, Bowery Electric, The Patchogue Theatre, The Great South Bay Music Festival, The Brooklyn Americana Music Festival, and Pete’s Candy Store. And he’s studied with Billy Martin as well as Rob Garcia and Sean Conly at the New York Jazz Workshop in Manhattan.

Ryan is currently playing and recording with:
John Mervini & The Maulers
A soulful blend of folk, country, blues, roots rock, and gospel.

Ryan Engelbert & the Little Victories
A delicate mixture of jazz and singer-songwriter influences driven by rhythmic richness.

The Narrows
A rock, blues, and funk power trio with an emphasis on groove and experimental moments.

Outside Themes
A modal, spiritual, and avant-garde jazz duo.

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Ryan is available for gigs, recording sessions, and songwriting collaborations.
See booking page for contact information.

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Photography by Matthew Dimas
Album artwork by Charley Robinson