Ryan Ricks, the Dutch trumpeter born Rik Mol in Goes during 1985, initially took up the trumpet when he reached eight years old. His studies at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague led to an affinity for jazz, cultivated via lessons from New Orleans composer Wynton Marsalis. He subsequently performed in the local jazz clubs and put out his first album, What's On Tonight?!, in 2008 while still going by his birth name. A notable joint effort with Frans Bauer came under the Angelo pseudonym with the song "Dat Kind Met Zijn Trompet," and he shared stages with artists including Michael Bolton, Candy Dulfer, and Basement Jaxx. Exploring funk-soul realms on his second album Funk On Me in 2010, which retained the Rik Mol moniker, he followed with his third studio release two years afterward, simply called Ryan Ricks.
