Ramon Lopez

Drums, Percussion
(Spain)

RAMON LOPEZ was born in Alicante, (Espagne) August 6th 1961. Drummer.

He began as a self-taught drummer in the mid-1970’s. Witnessing a Max Roach solo concert in 1980 was a turning point that fundamentally changed his understanding of music. He was part of local groups until he decided to move to Paris in January 1985 and became increasingly involved in the experimental scene in France. At the same time, he developed an interest in Indian music and after many years of studying Tabla in France and in India, he teaches Indian Music himself with Patrick Moutal at the Paris Conservatory CNSMDP (1994-2001). 

His first recording as a leader, a drums solo album, was released in 1997 on the British label Leo Records. His musical endeavours have always been challenging, his interpretation of Songs of the Spanish Civil War (2001), his duos dedicated to Roland Kirk (2002) or his « Freedom Now Sextet » in 2010 with Herb Robertson, Ivo Perelman, Joe Morris, Agusti Fernandez and Barry Guy. From 1997 to 2000 he was the drummer in the renowned French « Orchestre National de Jazz » under the direction of Didier Levallet. 

Among many others, Lopez has worked with the following musicians: Rashied Ali, Jim Baker, Conny Bauer, Majid Bekkas, Samuel Blaser, Anthony Coleman, Andrew Cyrille, Hamid Drake, Peter Evans, Agustí Fernández, Glenn Ferris, Joe Fonda, Sonny Fortune, Georges Garzone, Barry Guy, Charles Gayle, Teppo Hauta-Aho, Daniel Humair, Howard Johnson, Aly Keita, Joachim Kühn, Joelle Leandre, Jeanne Lee, George Lewis, Roscoe Mitchell, Joe Morris, Ivo Perelman, Michel Portal, Enrico Rava, Dave Rempis, Paul Rogers, Louis Sclavis, Alain Silva, Archie Shepp, John Surman, Mal Waldron, Nils Wogram and other remarkable contemporary jazz musicians, performing in concerts and festivals around the world.  

Ramon Lopez is an un-typical percussionist. He is a musician who has mastered a number of different musical traditions. He has recorded a hundred albums and he is currently one of the most respected European musicians in the area of contemporary jazz and improvised music. 

The French government named him "Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters" in 2008.

Jorge Garcia, Institut Valencià de Cultura.