About Moses Patrou

Drummer, percussionist, Hammond organist, and songwriter Moses Patrou brings the sound of American music to audiences worldwide. Based in New York City, he draws on a deep foundation in New Orleans rhythm, Southern soul, and modern jazz.

Moses's Career

Moses Patrou is a multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, and groove-driven craftsman whose musical journey spans over two decades. Born into a musical family in Nashville, raised in Madison, Wisconsin, he has reinvented himself many times—from playing drums, percussion, and keys to leading with his warm baritone voice and Hammond organ. He lived in and absorbed influences from music epicenters like New Orleans, Salvador, Bahia (Brazil), and Havana (Cuba), before planting roots in New York City in 2001. 

Across his career, Moses has contributed as a drummer, percussionist, and vocalist in many projects, including long-standing collaborations with pianist Ben Sidran, brass-band work drawing on New Orleans traditions, and his own bands such as the Organ Trio / Brooklyn Dive Bombers. He’s performed widely: from festivals like Monterey Jazz Fest, Womad, Montreal Jazz Fest, Ascona, to stages across Europe, Asia, Africa, and beyond. He’s recorded with legendary rhythm sections in Memphis and Muscle Shoals, and shared bills with artists like Levon Helm, Boz Skaggs, Gregg Allman, and others. 

These days, Moses is active as a performing organist (sponsored by Viscount Organs) and still plays drums/percussion regularly—especially when the gig calls for it. He’s committed to carrying forward the spirit and lessons of the greats who were around him—Clyde Stubblefield, Howard Grimes, Levon Helm—and repurposing those grooves in new work. His music has earned commercial placements (including TV / commercial spots), radio-charting in the Netherlands, and prominent festival appearances (for instance, the North Sea Jazz Festival). When he plays drums or percussion, he’s a proud endorser of Dream Cymbals, trusting their tone to help articulate the heartbeat of his vision. 

“Dream cymbals have a rich, full sound that sits beautifully in a mix and really shines on stage. Whether I’m behind a full kit or adding percussion textures, their tone is warm and musical, with just the right blend of clarity and depth for any setting.”

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