Ian Rood (piano, trumpet, arranger)

Ian Rood is a multi-instrumentalist based in the DMV area. Having grown up in Seattle and later relocating to North Carolina, Ian brings both a southern hospitality and Pacific Northwest charm to all his interactions.

Ian’s musical life began when he started drum lessons at age 8, and from there he went on to play the trumpet in his school band at age 10. A few years later, after attending a concert of the local high school jazz band, Ian discovered a passion for everything jazz, blues, and swing.   

After high school, Ian earned a degree in Jazz Performance at the University of North Carolina Greensboro. It was there he fell in love with writing and arranging, and began to perform dozens of his original scores with various big bands and his ensemble, The Modern Folktet. He also began to pursue his knack for piano, and enjoys composing musical sketches in his free time. Ian has been a finalist in the Jack Rudin Jazz Competition, the Not Your Average Folk Contest of NC Folk Festival, and frequently performs with Too Phat Brass Band and numerous jazz combos.

Outside of music, Ian likes to watch dramatic tv shows, play complicated board games with friends, and walk his dog, Polly. He is now based in the DMV area.