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Ricardo A. Haila

Ricardo Abi Haila (Arabic: ريكاردو أبي هيلا) is a Lebanese drummer.

Biography

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Ricardo A. Haila (born 1992, Lebanon) is a Lebanese percussionist, composer, and music educator known for his mastery of Middle Eastern and Brazilian percussion instruments, as well as the drum set. He began his musical journey at age 10, focusing on the drums, and went on to refine his skills under the guidance of his mentor, Christopher Michael Shaheen, while simultaneously pursuing a Business Degree at USEK Holy Spirit University of Kaslik.

In 2013, Ricardo expanded his studies at the Collective School of Music in New York City, where he immersed himself in advanced drumming techniques and jazz. He earned his bachelor's degree in jazz studies from Notre Dame University in Lebanon, completing this program between 2013 and 2014, and later pursued a master's degree in Middle Eastern music at Antonine University. This diverse academic background allowed Haila to blend Western jazz elements with traditional Middle Eastern rhythms, forming a unique and innovative style that distinguishes his performances.

During his time in New York, Haila studied with numerous influential drummers, including Mark Guiliana, Ari Hoeing, Dan Weiss, John Riley, Bob Breithaupt, Portinho, Daniel Glass, Steve Smith, Antonio Sanchez, Jojo Mayer, Chris Coleman, Peter Retzlaff, Ian Froman, Vince Cherico, Jason Gianni, Frank Katz, Adriano Santos, Tobias Ralph, Maciek Schejbal, Fred Klatz, Marko Djordjevic, Karim Ziad, Gregory Hutchinson and others.

Ricardo A. Haila is celebrated for his proficiency on traditional Middle Eastern percussion instruments, including the qanoun, riq, darbouka, and frame drum, as well as Brazilian percussion, which he seamlessly integrates into his performances. His extensive knowledge and passion for these instruments have made him a versatile and sought-after performer. Over the years, Haila has performed at various international music festivals and collaborated with artists across different genres, establishing himself as a prominent figure in the world music scene.

 
Ricardo A. Haila live performance

Ricardo A. Haila is a percussionist and educator with experience teaching drum set and Middle Eastern percussion at various institutes and workshops in Lebanon. He has collaborated with a range of prominent artists, including Ziad Rahbany, Omar Rahbany, the Lebanese Philharmonic Orchestra, Jihad Akl, Abdou Cherif, Ziad Bourji, and The Broken Wings Musical, as well as local jazz musicians. Notably, he performed at the 2022 FIFA World Cup and in Asia CUP 2024 a significant milestone in his career.

In addition to his work as a performer, Ricardo has released several solo albums that blend traditional and contemporary musical styles

Releases

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Echoes of the Future - Ricardo A. Haila released the album Echoes of the Future, featuring a fusion of percussive and melodic elements, including the handpan, qanoun, and synthesizer, designed to convey a modern, reflective sound. The performance video, Live at Frozen Cherry, showcases tracks from the album along with a mix of well-known songs, emphasizing Haila's multi-instrumental style. The album includes several tracks:

  • Dreamscape (2023)
  • Cosmic Path (2023)
  • Celestial Vision (2023)
  • Endless Pulse (2023)
  • Riders of Tomorrow (2023)
  • Loopwave (2024)

Hit releases

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  • Roar (2019) - Roar was created while he was living in Beirut, during COVID and the revolution going on in Lebanon.
  • Requiem for Beirut (2020) - Requiem for Beirut was created after the Beirut explosion.

Book releases

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  • Flow in Rhythm: 11 advanced snare drum solos (2021)
  • Flow in Rhythm: 11 intermediate snare drum solos (2022)
  • Flow in Rhythm: Mastering rhythm for all instruments (2023)

References

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