Stanton Moore

Biography

Stanton Moore is a GRAMMY Award-winning drummer, educator, and performer born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, a city whose vibrant musical heritage profoundly shaped his artistic identity. Growing up immersed in the sounds of Mardi Gras parades and the rich traditions of local legends like Professor Longhair, Dr. John, and the Meters, Moore began drumming at a young age and was deeply influenced by the city’s collaborative, groove-centric culture. He earned a bachelor’s degree in music and business from Loyola University, balancing academic study with active participation in New Orleans’ thriving music scene. In the early 1990s, Moore co-founded Galactic, a progressive jazz-funk band that quickly gained acclaim and continues to tour globally, averaging around 100 shows per year for over two decades.

Moore launched his solo career in 1998 with the album All Kooked Out!, showcasing his versatility and deep roots in New Orleans funk, jazz, and R&B. Over a 25-year career, he has released nine solo albums, including the recent With You In Mind: The Songs of Allen Toussaint, and has collaborated with a diverse array of artists across genres, from Maceo Parker and Irma Thomas to Tom Morello and Corrosion of Conformity. Moore is equally recognized as an educator, having authored influential instructional books like Groove Alchemy and created the Groove Academy video series, while also teaching clinics and masterclasses worldwide. His musical style is marked by a mastery of the New Orleans second-line groove, inventive improvisation, and a seamless blend of jazz, funk, and rock influences, cementing his legacy as a torchbearer for the city’s rhythmic traditions.

Fun Facts

• Stanton Moore was just eight months old when he first heard the drums of a Mardi Gras parade, an experience that ignited his lifelong passion for percussion.
• In 2018, Moore and his Galactic bandmates purchased the iconic New Orleans music venue Tipitina’s, ensuring its preservation as a cultural landmark.
• Moore’s instructional book Groove Alchemy was named one of the top 25 drum books of all time by Modern Drummer magazine.
• He has appeared multiple times on late-night TV shows, including Jimmy Kimmel, Conan O’Brien, and Seth Meyers.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Professor Longhair - Early inspiration from New Orleans piano legend (N/A) [Childhood-1980s]
• Dr. John - Influential New Orleans musician and cultural figure (N/A) [Childhood-1980s]
• The Meters - Foundational funk band; major stylistic influence (N/A) [Childhood-1980s]
• Jabo Starks, Clyde Stubblefield, Zigaboo Modeliste - Studied and emulated their funk drumming techniques (Groove Alchemy (2010)) [2000s]

Key Collaborators

• Galactic - Co-founder and longtime drummer (Coolin' Off (1996), subsequent albums) [1990s–present]
• Charlie Hunter - Frequent collaborator in Stanton Moore Trio and solo projects (All Kooked Out! (1998), Flyin' the Koop (2001)) [Late 1990s–2000s]
• Skerik - Saxophonist in Stanton Moore Trio and solo albums (All Kooked Out! (1998), Flyin' the Koop (2001)) [Late 1990s–2000s]
• Maceo Parker - Recorded and performed together (N/A) [2000s–2010s]
• Irma Thomas - Recorded and performed together (N/A) [2000s–2010s]
• Tom Morello - Collaborated on recordings (N/A) [2000s–2010s]
• George Porter Jr. (The Meters) - Collaborated on recordings and performances (N/A) [2000s–2010s]
• Preservation Hall Jazz Band - Performed and recorded together (N/A) [2000s–2010s]
• Anders Osborne - Collaborated on recordings and performances (N/A) [2000s–2010s]

Artists Influenced

• Drum students worldwide - Taught through clinics, books, and online academy (Groove Alchemy, Groove Academy) [2000s–present]
• New Orleans drummers - Inspired by his mastery of second-line and funk grooves (N/A) [1990s–present]

Source: Wikipedia

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Blues for Ben (All Kooked Out!)
2. Here Come The Girls (With You In Mind)
3. Java (With You In Mind)
4. Zulu King (James Andrews and Trombone Shorty Brothers)
5. Give It What You Can (Give It What You Can)
6. You Know I’m No Good (Krasno/Moore Project: Book of Queens)
7. Tchfunkta (All Kooked Out!)
8. Stay High [Feat. Cory Henry] (Krasno/Moore Project: Book of Queens)
9. Pie-Eyed Manc (Groove Alchemy)
10. Slow Burn (Krasno/Moore Project: Book of Queens)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia