Robby Ameen, a Grammy Award-winning drummer, has lived in New York City from the early 1980s. He recorded with Dizzy Gillespie and Paul Simon. While maintaining a relationship of more than 20 years with Ruben Blades (a member Seis del Solar), he also maintained a long-standing relationship with Latin icon Ruben. Robby, although he is Lebanese in origin, is most well-known for his unique Afro-Cuban style of jazz. Robby grew up in New Haven, Connecticut and was able to enjoy the city’s proximity from his home. He went to clubs and heard many of the greatest jazz musicians at an early age. He was also involved in local jazz and Latin music, and later attended Yale University where he earned a BA degree in literature. In high school, his jazz roots were heavily influenced by his studies alongside Ed Blackwell. While in college, he studied classical drumming with Fred Hinger. Robby started recording in New York with Dave Valentin, and shortly thereafter Ruben Blades. Ruben Blades was the first salsa singer who added a full-time drummer, Seis del Solar, to his band. Another of his early recordings was “New Faces,” which he recorded with Dizzy Gillespie. Dizzy stated in JazzTimes that he had just recorded a record with a Lebanese drummer. It was so busy, and it just keeps going, you see. Robby is a Latin legend who has recorded numerous records with Eddie Palmieri. He also tours or recorded with luminaries such as Mongo Santamaria and Paquito D’Rivera, Hilton Ruiz and Willie Colon. Robby was Marc Anthony’s drummer for the historic first solo concert at Madison Square Garden. Robby has a long-standing relationship with Kip Hanrahan (producer and composer), with whom he has been touring and recording since 1987. Robby was also the drummer of Paul Simon’s Capeman, with whom he worked during the long rehearsal period and until the recording. He is also a member of Conrad Herwig’s Grammy-nominated “Latin Side of …”” band. Robby, along with Horacio “el Negro”, Hernandez, has recorded three records as a co-leader with the “El Negro and Robby Band”. Robby also co-founded the latin-jazz power trio, “Overproof.” Robby recently released “Days In The Life”, a solo album in which he composed and arranged most of the music. Robby, along with Lincoln Goines, is the co-author of the best-selling instructional CD and book: Funkifying the Clave. Afro Cuban grooves for bass and drums has sold more than 40,000 copies around the world. The DVD Funkifying the Clave was also released. Robby is an active clinician and performs at major drum festivals such as Modern Drummer Day (PAS), the Montreal DrumFest, FrankfurtMesse and NAMM. Jerry Garcia,” “The Return of Ruben Blades”, Good Morning America, PBS Legends of Jazz and Europe’s Rockpalast, and Later with Jools Netherlands. Robby has been a session player in New York for many years. He’s played jingles, TV music and film scores with composers such as Dave Grusin and Carlos Franzetti. Robby also was the drummer for the series “Sex and the City”. Feature articles on Robby have been published in magazines such as Modern Drummer and Drumhead Magazine. Robby was recently included in the New Grove Dictionary of Jazz. Visit www.robbyameen.com
