Robby Ameen

Robby Ameen
Born (1960-12-07) December 7, 1960
Origin New Haven, Connecticut, U.S.
Genres Jazz
Occupation(s) Drummer, composer, bandleader, educator
Website www.robbyameen.com

Robby Ameen (born December 7, 1960) is an American drummer, composer, bandleader, and educator who resides in New York City. Although he is of Lebanese origin, Ameen is best known for the unique and powerful Afro-Cuban style he has created. He is regarded as one of the world's most prominent drummers in the area of Latin Jazz.[1]

In 1985 he became a member of Ruben Blades’ Seis del Solar band. Other long-term band memberships include Dave Valentin, Conrad Herwig’s “Latin Side of… All Stars", Kip Hanrahan, and Jack Bruce and the Cuicoland Express. In 2011 Ameen won a Latin Grammy for best Salsa record with Ruben Blades and Seis del Solar, “Todos Vuelven Live, Vol. 1 and 2.” As a sideman he has recorded on other Grammy winning records including Ruben Blades and Seis del Solar’s “Escenas” and Brian Lynch’s “Simpatico”.[2] In 2012, Ameen was the subject of an episode of the Emmy Award-winning Detroit Public Television series “Arab American Stories”.[3]

Early life and education

Ameen was born in 1960 in New Haven, Connecticut.[4]

Studied drum set with Ed Blackwell and classical percussion with Fred Hinger.

BA Literature, Yale College 1982

Career

As a sideman, Ameen has recorded extensively with such artists as Dizzy Gillespie, Dave Valentin, Eddie Palmieri, Paul Simon, Jack Bruce, Kip Hanrahan, Conrad Herwig, Carly Simon, Mongo Santamaria, Hilton Ruiz, Kirsty MacColl, and many others. As a session musician Ameen has recorded numerous jingles, film scores, and TV music, including the popular HBO series Sex and the City.

As an educator, Ameen is the co-author with bassist Lincoln Goines of the best-selling instructional book “Funkifying the Clave: Afro-Cuban drums for Bass and Drums” (Alfred Music). He is an international cilinician and percussion/drum festival participant, including the Modern Drummer Festival and PASIC. He is currently on the faculty at Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University.

Discography

As a leader

  • Robby Ameen Days in the Night (2015) Two and Four Records
  • Robby Ameen Days in the Life (2009) Two and Four Records

As a co-leader

  • Horacio "el Negro" Hernandez and Robby Ameen Robby and Negro at the Third World War (2006) American Clave/Enja
  • El Negro and Robby Onto the Street (2003) EWE
  • El Negro and Robby Band Live at Umbria Jazz (2004) Il Manifesto
  • Seis del Solar Decision (1992) Messidor
  • Seis del Solar Alternate Roots (1995) Messidor
  • Overproof Three Guys Walk into a Bar (2004) EWE

As a sideman (selected)

  • Dizzy Gillespie New Faces (1984) GRP
  • Ruben Blades Ruben Blades y Son del Solar...Live! (1990) Elektra-Asylum
  • Dave Valentin Live at the Blue Note (1988) GRP
  • Paul Simon Songs from the Capeman (1997) Warner Bros. Records
  • Eddie Palmieri Palmas (1994) Nonesuch
  • Conrad Herwig The Latin Side of Herbie Hancock (2010) Half Note
  • Kip Hanrahan Tenderness (1990) American Clave
  • Steve Swallow Swallow (Xtra Watt, 1991)
  • Jack Bruce More Jack Than God (2003) Sanctuary

References

Modern Drummer April ’94, January 2004, January 2010,

DrumHead issue #22

Downbeat March 2010

  1. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-12-24. Retrieved 2014-11-19.
  2. ↑ http://allmusic.com/artist/robby-ameen-mn0000230556/credits
  3. ↑ http://www.arabamericanstories.org
  4. ↑ http://www.drummerszone.com/artists/profile/65/robby-ameen#biography-tab
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