Rudy Feinauer's Performing Career: Mudsole, Venues and Press

Rudy Feinauer
Jul 8
2 min read

Updated: Aug 25

Rudy Feinauer teaches drums and also performs. This page covers the band he plays with, the venues he has appeared at over more than 30 years, and the press that has covered him. If you are considering lessons, an actively performing teacher is a signal worth checking. Everything below is public and verifiable.

Upcoming shows

Confirmed dates are listed on the Live Shows page, which updates automatically as shows are added.

About Mudsole

Mudsole is a New Orleans style Dixieland trio led by NYC guitarist Dave "Knife" Fabris. Rudy joined the newest lineup as the drummer. Dave and Rudy went to the New England Conservatory together · Rudy is the band bio's "Dave's old Conservatory buddy."

Mudsole's band history is on public record:

Founded 1989 · Dave Fabris started the band busking in Boston with Artie Barbato and Jason Rogers
1990 Mardi Gras breakthrough · Mentored on the streets of New Orleans by jazz legend Doreen Ketchens
Entertainment Tonight · National TV feature after the New Orleans breakthrough
Bill Clinton Inaugural Celebrations · Played both Inaugurations, opening for The Four Tops and Billy Ray Cyrus
2017 reconstitution · Reformed for a Hurricane Maria relief fundraiser in NYC
2026 lineup · Rafael Castillo-Halvorssen (trumpet), Rudy Feinauer (drums), Zach Kirsimae (upright bass)

Full band history is on Dave Fabris's site at davefabris.com/mudsole.

Rudy Feinauer at the drums in his Westchester NY studio — Rudy's Westchester studio, where lessons and rehearsals both happen.

Past appearances (partial list)

Rudy Feinauer live performance in Westchester NY, drum teacher and working musician — Live in Westchester · over 30 years of local and tri-state performances.

More than 30 years of performing across the tri-state area and beyond. Selected venues:

The Stone Pony · Asbury Park, NJ
BB King's Blues Club · New York, NY
Colonial Theatre · Phoenixville, PA
Kensico Dam Plaza 9/11 Memorial · Valhalla, NY (annual memorial concerts)
New Rochelle Jazz Festival · New Rochelle, NY (with Mudsole, July 2026)
Various jazz and community venues across Westchester, NY and the tri-state area

Press coverage

FOX 5 New York · Good Day New York segment, January 23, 2013
The Working Musician · Published interview
New England Conservatory Alumni Small Business Directory · Official NEC listing under Lessons and Training, June 2026

Why this matters for drum lessons

Rudy Feinauer drumming in performance, 35 years of experience teaching and playing — The gigging keeps the teaching honest.

A teacher who performs publicly is a teacher who still cares about being good on the instrument. Students of an actively performing teacher are learning from someone who knows what actually works on stage, not just what looks correct in a book. Playing in a jazz trio is a different discipline from teaching, and it improves the teaching.

Book a lesson with an actively performing teacher

The first lesson is free for new students. Zoom, FaceTime, or in person in Westchester County, New York. Book at rudyfeinauer.com/schedule-lesson or call 914-262-9406.