Music is a fine art that has always inspired the souls and minds of people through history. Among the many musical instruments available, drums are a fundamental part of most musical ensembles, as it adds pulse, foundation, and groove, that complement and complete a musical piece. Drums add that very element that touches people’s hearts and minds through what is called “the beat” that is felt in the center of the chest, the heart. The sound of drums wakes up such feelings of joy as it vibrates through the bodies of the listeners creating a primal desire to dance, jump, and sing; to follow and mimic with their bodies, feet, and hands the beat of the drums.
Although still under construction, the purpose of this webpage is to share with you my life’s experience as a drummer; to inspire in you a joy for my music; to encourage in my fans, students, and other musicians a desire to further explore the uniqueness of what I have to offer, as well as experience the passion I feel when I am playing the drums.
Rafael Leal Ramirez
With over 40 years of experience as a percussionist, drummer, educator, producer and composer, my musical career has been developed through a diversity of projects in both Colombia and the United States.
Throughout my career, I have played, toured, and recorded with renowned musicians, bands and singers. To name a few, the Joe Madrid Jazz Trio, the Bogotá Jazz Ensemble, the groups Noches de Liverpool and Blue Jean Blues, artists such as Pacho Zapata, Jorge Zapata, Edna Rocio, Claudia de Colombia, Oscar Golden, Raul Santi, Gali Galiano, Ayombe, Ensamble Latino, Chekere, in my native country, as well as ColombiaFolkColombia All Stars, Peaces, Open Surce, Velvet Jubilee, Jorge Arevalo Jazz Trio, Triage, and my new venture called Bambacumbe in the United States.
In addition, I have participated many times as a band leader in several music festivals such as Jazz al Parque in Bogotá, as well as the Petronio Álvarez Afro-Colombian music festival in the city of Cali, Colombia. Among other projects in Colombia, I was a judge for several music contests, and Musical Director for the Universities Jazz Festival in Bogotá.
Furthermore, I have extensive experience teaching at Universidad Pedagógica, Universidad EAN, and Taller Musical Francisco Cristancho, in Bogota. Part of my experience also includes designing and organizing multiple workshops and music education programs in Colombia and in the United States. My musical contribution to the spread of Jazz in Colombia was also recognized by the Bogotá Institute of Culture in 2006
Two of my most important projects/achievements include the publication of two books on playing drums: Colombian Rhythms on the Drum Set, A Tour Across Colombian Rhythms published by eLibros Editorial, 2019, and Cómo Tocar en Batería Ritmos Internacionales y Autóctonos published by Planeta Colombiana Editorial, 1998. This book was co-authored with drummer and journalist Jorge León Pineda.
My career has continued evolving since I settled in New York City fifteen years ago. Forming and playing with new bands, recording and teaching, as well as publishing my second book have been at the center of my musical career. I have had the privilege of conducting workshops at different institutions in New York City and also work with the educational project, FolkCOLOMBIA Escuela de Danza y Música, an initiative promoting Colombian culture through music and dance, with the support of the nonprofit Center for Traditional Music and Dance, all in New York City.
Finally, as my career continues to evolve, I have been dedicating a great part of my time to the private teaching of children and adults. I have been sharing with my students the best of my knowledge and experience to encourage and inspire them to carry on with playing the drums with confidence and the certainty that their talents will evolve and mature just as mine did.