Alby Rolfe

Alby Rolfe is an experienced musician, composer, and teacher open to all musical styles,
from Pop to Rock, RnB, Latin and Jazz. He has developed knowledge and experience in styles
as diverse as orchestral, West-African, Cuban, and Indian Classical music. Jazz is a major
part of his musical background and forms his passion for improvisation, coordination, and
time-feel. He carries an enthusiasm to share his knowledge and experience with students
while guiding them on their individual journeys. Alby’s experience teaching students of varying
ages and levels allows him to cater lessons to all learning styles.

Alby was exposed to live music at home from a young age, where he began playing drums at
age 8. He also undertook brass studies on Trumpet, Euphonium and Tuba in his early school
years. Rock, RnB, and Jazz were popular choices of his parents, and have become defining
elements of his style. He studied at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School for
jazz drum set, under the tutelage of Australian drumming great Graham Morgan and
distinguished drummer and teacher Damian Ellis. There he was awarded the John Hopkins
Music Award in his final year. Alby then attended Monash University where he learnt from
esteemed drummers Tony Floyd, Alastair Kerr, and Dave Beck to complete a Bachelor of
Music. In his final year, he received the Monash Arts 2021 Bornstein Jazz Drumkit Prize.

Alby performs in various groups and projects around Melbourne. He plays a diverse range of
gigs, reflecting the quality of his craft in each situation. He is also involved in various recording
and session-work. He has worked alongside the likes of Julien Wilson, Tony Gould, Craig
Fermanis, Brett Williams/Kate Kelsey-Sugg, Finn Rees, Cheryl Durongpisitkul, Paul
Williamson (Saxophone), Mark Ferrie, James Black, Simon Starr, Monique diMattina, Alma
Zygier, and Flora Carbo. He has performed as part of the Melbourne International Jazz
Festival, St Kilda’s Southside Live and the Bendigo Blues and Roots Festival.