Van Romaine
GenresInstrumental rock, Latin, jazz fusion, pop,hard rock, hip-hop [1]
OccupationMusician
InstrumentDrums
Years active1988–present
Labels
Member of
Formerly of
Websitevanromaine.com

Van Romaine is an American drummer, musical director and songwriter. He is known for his versatility in musical genres. Romaine served as musical director and drummer for Latin icon Enrique Iglesias, funk pioneer Bernie Worrell, and German pop singer Nina. He is a principal member of renowned guitarist Steve Morse’s jazz-fusion instrumental group The Steve Morse Band, and recorded drums on Grammy-winners Naughty by Nature’s hits “OPP” and “Wickedest Man Alive.” Modern Drummer awarded him “Up and Coming Drummer of the Year”, the year of his professional recording debut.

Career

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Romaine recorded the drums and loops for Naughty by Nature’s 1992 self-titled debut. The songs he recorded included the hit “O.P.P.”, named by Spin magazine as of the 1990’s greatest singles, and VH1 as one of the top 100 hip hop songs.

Romaine’s first tour was in 1993 with Grammy winners Blood Sweat and Tears. He performed with them in Australia, Japan Europe and the USA.

In 1993, Van joined virtuoso bassist Dave LaRue and Steve to form the Steve Morse Band. They have recorded eight albums to date.

Also in 1993, Van was recruited by drummer manager Phil Ehart to assume his drumming duties for American progressive rock archetypes Kansas, the first such artist to do so. Romaine remained with Kansas until 1994.

In 1994, Bernie Worrell of Parliament-Funkadelic and Talking Heads hired Romaine as drummer and musical director for his first solo touring band, The Woo Warriors. The group performed in Japan, Europe and the USA.

Romaine began his longtime collaboration with Nena as musical director, drummer, and co-songwriter in 1998. They continued with additional albums and tours until 2019.

Romaine began working with Enrique Iglesias in 2001. In 2010, Romaine became Iglesias’s musical director and band leader. He has continued in this role throughout Iglesias’ rise to being one of the best-selling Latin artists. Most recently Iglesias was awarded the Top Latin Artist of All Time at the 2020 Billboard Latin Music Awards.

In 2008 Van joined with Steve Morse Band regulars Steve Morse and Dave LaRue, and singer-songwriter Sarah Spencer to record for a project called Angelfire.

As a supporting performer, Romaine has played and/or recorded with Billy Joel, John Entwistle, T.M. Stevens, Steve Vai, John Petrucci, Steve Lukather, Jack McDuff, Joan Osborne, Ludacris, The Spin Doctors, The London Symphony Orchestra, Deep Purple, Kim Wilde, Howard Jones and Pitbull, Ronnie James Dio, Adam Holzman, Hiram Bullock, Jaco Pastorius, Juan Luis Geurra, Nicole Scherzinger, Stanley Jordan an Tony Levin.

As a commercial composer, Van composed and recorded music for television commercials, including clients such as: Canon, Cadillac, Merrell, Lady Footlocker, ESPN, UEFA, and many more.

In addition to Iglesias and Nina, Van served band leader and arranger for TV, sports and charity event. They include American Music Awards; Billboard Awards; MTV Video Music Awards; The David Letterman Show; The Tonight Show; The Today Show; The Dallas Cowboys Half-Time Thanksgiving Show; and Tribute to the Hero's.

Romaine is formally endorsed by Gretsch Drums, Sabian, Water, LP and Porter & Davies.

Discography

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TBA



  1. ^ "Van Romaine | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved November 6, 2019.