About

Nolan Byrd is an award-winning and critically acclaimed drummer currently based in New York City.

Nolan Byrd is an award-winning and critically acclaimed drummer currently based in New York City. 

After displaying a talent for drumming at a very early age, Nolan began pursuing a life in music. Upon enrolling at the University of North Texas in 2010 on scholarship, Nolan began his invaluable years as a student of Ed Soph, culminating in several Downbeat Student Music Awards and drumming in the six-time Grammy nominated One O’Clock Lab Band. A year after graduating from North Texas, Nolan began attending the Manhattan School of Music, earning his master’s degree in 2017. During his time there and under the guidance of John Riley, Nolan began to establish himself as one of the more in-demand drummers of his generation. 

In 2018 Nolan began touring and recording with Thai/Swedish artist Sirintip.  Her two studio releases, Tribus and Carbon are an exciting, eclectic work that touches on pop, R&B, electronica and jazz, while still creating a sound uniquely its own. With Sirintip, Nolan has performed all over the world including multiple US, European, and Asian tours.  

In 2019 Nolan joined the band of trumpeter and vocalist Brian Newman. Known as ‘Lady Gaga’s Jazz Band’, not only do they perform with the star during her recent performances in Las Vegas, the Brian Newman Quintet also has its own critically acclaimed residency on The Las Vegas Strip, ‘Brian Newman After Dark’.  When the band isn’t out touring, Nolan can be heard performing with Newman at The Midnight Theatre multiple times a week in addition to other venues in New York City. 

In February 2020, Nolan was the drummer in the featured rhythm section for the Seattle Symphony performing “The Best of Quincy Jones” conducted by Jules Buckley.  During the pandemic in April 2020, Nolan both performed in and was the CTO for the Live From Our Living Rooms Festival and Fundraiser, which was featured in Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and quoted “The first jazz festival of the quarantine era” by Rolling Stone.  

In 2021, Nolan released an EP entitled ‘Silence of an Echo’ showcasing his talents as both a producer and drummer in the electronica world, creating a unique blend between acoustic drums, synths, and electronic instruments.  

In December 2023, Nolan toured the US with Sirintip as a duo supporting Sungazer.  This new duo project delivers a captivating fusion of jazz, electronic, and acoustic elements. With Nolan's seamless integration of acoustic drumming with the use of tools like Ableton that showcases his unique drumming style, the performances are both innovative and dynamic. Their long-standing collaboration highlights a creative connection that sets them apart, with each performance showcasing their unique artistic voices.

Nolan has also performed with Lady Gaga, Kurt Elling, Christian McBride, Mark Turner, Michael League, Tyshawn Sorey, Jimmy Fallon, Melle Mel, Doug E Fresh, and many more.  

Nolan proudly endorses Canopus Drums