American Patchwork Quartet (APQ), led by multi-GRAMMY® award-winning guitarist/vocalist Clay Ross, binds timeless American folk songs with jazz sophistication, country twang, West African hypnotics, and East Asian ornamentation. APQ’s sound is a masterful confluence of tradition and innovation, transcending culture, politics, and ideology. Their debut was recently nominated for “Best Folk Album” at the 67th GRAMMY® Awards.

A southern-born roots music aficionado, Ross is also the founder of the world-renowned Gullah group Ranky Tanky. In APQ, Ross intertwines with other Grammy-winning artists: Harini Raghavan, a Carnatic vocalist and violinist, Moto Fukushima, an internationally acclaimed Issei jazz bassist, and Koleby Royston, a renowned jazz drummer whose fibers were honed by African American church traditions.

APQ resonates as a potent symbol of unity in diversity. It stands testament to the notion that, from a collage of varied backgrounds, a coherent and beautiful whole can be fashioned. Mirroring America’s cultural mosaic, APQ stitches together a story that’s both intricate and resilient. The fabric of their music is genuine—it neither feigns tolerance nor presents an overly-embellished image of unity.

Instead, 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. Far from being a haphazard collection of musical scraps, APQ is a deliberately designed homage to America’s past and a showcase of its dynamic present. 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.

ARTIST BIOS:

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.

www.clayross.com

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.”

www.rinimusic.com/

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.

www.motobass.com

Koleby Royston is a New-York based drummer and composer who keeps creativity and spirituality at the forefront of his musicianship. Royston grew up in a family of musicians and has been surrounded by this art form for his entire life. Royston began honing his craft at the age of fourteen, and has since had the opportunities to perform alongside notable musicians such as Sean Jones, Joel Ross, Pete Rodriguez, Tia Fuller, Brandon Woody, Warren Wolf, Amina Figurova, Orrin Evans, and others.