Badal Roy arrived in New York in 1968. Working as a waiter in various Indian restaurants, he would serve customers a dazzling display of musical prowess along with their meal. The tabla player was soon approached by John McLaughlin, and later, by Miles Davis, who he accompanied most notably on the 1972 album, On the Corner. After 1988, Roy took a leading role in Ornette Coleman's band, Prime Time. In 2008, the percussionist contributed to the concept album, Miles from India, and participated in live adaptations of the recording to the delight of a diverse group of music fans.