RAY pereira - biography

Career highlights

Ray has a unique and innovative style of playing, drawing upon West African, Afro-Cuban, Brazilian and jazz drumming styles. As well as his own projects, Ray has worked in a variety of contexts with jazz virtuosos (Arthur Blyth, Paul Grabowsky), rock legends (Chubby Checker & Australia's Paul Kelly), opera singers (David Hobson) and traditional musicians from Sri Lanka and West Africa and Cuba. Ray's exciting virtuosic performances have stunned audiences around the world and his subtle recordings have delighted many.....

For more details of some of Ray's career highlights see the links below.

Ray Pereira

Performances
Television
Teaching
Solo Projects

Current Projects
Studies
Instruments of Expertise

For more, see Ray’s current projects and calendar

Performances tours & recordings with Australian artists

Cristine Anu
Joe Camilleri
Kate Ceberano
Doug De Vries
Tommy Emmanuel
Renee Geyer
Paul Grabowsky

Ross Hannaford
David Hirschfelder
Ruby Hunter
Vince Jones
Paul Kelly
Rick Price
James Reyne

Archie Roach
Mondo Rock
Steve Tallis
Ross Wilson
Yothu Yindi

Performances and tours with International artists

Hugh Masekela
Charles and Eddie
Arthur Blyth
Nii Tettey Tetteh

The Kusun Ensemble
Desree (TV)
Isaac Hayes (TV)
Bobby Previt

Ricky Martin (TV)
Chubby Checker (TV)

Recordings with International artists

Arthur Blythe (with Tibetan Dixie)

Nii Tettey Tetteh
The Kusun Ensemble

The Africa Boys

Television appearances

ABC	- Countdown, Rock Arena, Access All Areas, Kate Ceberano and Friends
SBS	- Featured performer on NOMAD
GTV 9	- Hey Hey It's Saturday, IMT, Midday Show
HSV 7	- Tonite Live with Steve Vizard, Logies - Member of Logies band 1995-2000 (Musical Director: Chong Lim) - Performance at AFI Awards 1997 - Co-composer Opening Sequence

Teaching

Regular Workshops in..
Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra, Perth and Regional Centres around Australia.
Workshops and Performances at Schools and Universities throughout Australia.
Workshops at Festivals throughout Australia.
Coordinator of Study Tours to Ghana - Featured Performer and Producer of Instructional Videos in African Drumming, "The Kusun Sessions".

Guest Lecturer at..

Victorian College of The Arts, Edith Cowan University, Southern Cross University Lismore campus, Lismore College of Performing Arts, University of Adelaide Performing Arts campus. Queensland Conservatorium - Griffith University campus and Mackay campus.

Solo Projects

Bongo Fury
Leader of percussion ensemble Bongo Fury. Release of Two CD's - Bongo Fury and Home.

The Kusun Sessions
Featured Performer and Producer (with Nii Tettey Tetteh) of Six Instructional Videos in West African Drumming and Dance.

The Kusun Study tour
Leader, Coordinator and Instructor on annual Kusun Study tours to Ghana. West Africa.

The Talking Drum
Writer, Co director, Performer of “The Talking Drum” Documentary - a film looking at the music and culture of Ghana through the eyes of Ghanaian master musician Nii Tettey Tetteh, Ray Pereira and participants of the second Kusun Study Tour.

Current Projects

Way Out West
Kerri Simpson

Zebra Crossing
The Louis Prez Trio

Maha Bera
Off The Record

see Current Projects for more detail

Studies

1999-2004	Annual study in Ghana
1998	Further study in Ghana and Ivory Coast
1994	Received Australia Council Individual Development Grant to study Traditional West African Drumming in Ghana and Ivory Coast. Also studied traditional drumming in Zimbabwe.
1989 - 1990	Study of Traditional Afro Cuban Drumming Styles in Havana and Cienfuegos, Cuba
1980- 1981	Study of Afro Cuban and Salsa music and Jazz in New York

Instruments of expertise

AFRO-CUBAN -	Conga drums, Bongos, Timbales, Shekere, Cowbells and Small Percussion
BRAZILIAN -	Pandeiro, Quica, Berimbau, Agogo, Surdo, Tamborim, Caxixi
WEST AFRICAN -	Djembe, Dunduns ,Talking Drums, Ga Drums (Kpanlogo, Gombe, Bomba, Obunu, Atumpan,) Ewe Drums (Sogo , Kidi, Kangan, Atsimevu.)
As well as other miscellaneous percussion instruments from around the world

workshops

For drumming classes with Ray, find the latest information here

African Drum Beat

Dedicated to West African Drumming and Percussion

Buying a drum

A useful resource on what to look for

Ray

"Ray and I have played together on and off for twenty years. He makes a great curry. His playing has plenty of flavour, too, with just the right amount of spice. He's a joy to work with. Sometimes I even make him smile."
Paul Kelly

"The highlight of the night was a solo by percussionist extraordinaire Ray Pereira ..." - In concert with Kate Ceberano

"Pereira played the role of rhythmic guardian angel. His magical hands gliding over the rhythms of five continents with graceful distinction" - In concert with David Hirschfelder. Herald-Sun

"Brilliantly creative" -Jazz Chord Magazine

"Percussionist without peer" - Rhythms Magazine

“If you were a surfer you’d be the world champion. You ride inside the music” - Fan after a performance

“ This is the first time I have heard drums sing” - Fan after a performance

“His drumming has annoyed me for years, just like his personality. I wish he’d become an engineer instead”
- Ray’s mum