Meet Agean Artists

RALF SCHUMACHER – GERMANY

I have studied at the music colleges Mainz & Hamburg and have been working as a professional drummer for 20 years, looking back on hundreds of gigs with various artists & bands in different musical genres (tour, festivals, studio, TV, theatre). Meanwhile I am focussing mostly towards studio & media production work, but am also available for live & playback bookings, tour productions or product presentations. You can find references and my official sedcard HERE
I also offer high end drum recording for your music at my own studio. Depending on time & budget, it might either be a full acoustic drum recording, or an electronic drum setup, that triggers sample libraries through midi. (Toontrack/XLN/Slate etc).     ⇒ DEMOS

VALEN VELASQUEZ ALVAREZ – COLOMBIA

Valen is a great drummer who is one of the most popular female drummers in Colombia. Colombian drummer, with 22 years has become a reference in her country, playing with great artists, at large festivals, recording albums and traveling around the world playing drums. Now it has five important brands that sponsor it. She is the official distributor of Agean Cymbals in Colombia, she feels happy because she represents a brand of professional cymbals, the support has been amazing.

LUKE WRIGHT – USA

From The United States, Luke Wright is a 14 year old drummer/musician. Luke has had the opportunity to play in many locations across the country. Luke has also recorded music with his band and various other artists of different genres since the age of 11. Luke began playing at age 7 and has developed into one of the most promising young talents playing drums today. Luke has had the privilege of playing onstage with his drum hero, Mike Portnoy, Billy Sheehan and Richie Kotzen. Luke is proud to be in the Agean Cymbals family and looks forward to a very bright future with Agean.

SARA MENDONCA VIEIRA – BRAZIL

TOHKO – JAPAN

Tohko started playing piano since 6 years old.  She picked up percussion at 13 years old when she joined brass band club.

She was really into percussion.  Then she started her own band at 18.  After moving to Tokyo, she was getting drum lessons from SATOKO who is one of most talented Japanese female drummers.

In 2016, after joining CLUB ZETTAI, she started to be active amongst Japanese metal music scene.  In 2020, she started her own band called “SAISEIGA” as a band leader.

She is also composing a couple of songs in this band.  In December 2021, she had a chance to check out Agean Cymbals Since then, her main cymbals have been Agean.  Her current choice is 14” Elegant HH, 18” Rockmaster CHINA, 10” Stoned Splash and more.

ANDRE FELYPPE ALVES DE LIMA 

 He was born in Casimiro de Abreu- Rio de Janeiro – Brazil, started playing drums at the age of 5 in his local church, where he took his first musical steps, at 15 he started playing professionally, until the present moment where she is 23 years old and plays for one of the main gospel singers in Brazil called Gabriela Rocha. André has many followers on his social networks, on YouTube there are almost 1 million views and on Instagram he also has expressive numbers!

JOZSEF BORDAS – HUNGARY

József Bordás is a drummer awarded with the Hungarian Gold Cross of Merit, as a teacher he received Artisjus Prize, he is the founder of  International Drummers’ and Percussionists’ Camp in Hungary, he is a composer, and the leader of several music related projects. His band is the Finucci Bros Quartet, which is an internationally acclaimed jazz ensemble and which tours around the world. His unique sound and play is outstanding. He is an international endorser of Agean Cymbals,  Artbeat Drumstick, Microsonic EPIC.

NATALI ALTER – RUSSIA

Since the age of 15, drums have taken up most of her life. Originally from Siberia, where she was a participant and organizer of various drum evenings and festivals. Now my entire career is developing in Moscow. Collaborates with several schools, teaches drums, records tracks and videos with musicians of different genres. Plays in two groups. Likes to listen and play music from metal to jazz.

DIANA MIKHEEVA – RUSSIA

I graduated from College of Arts in 2017. Since then I taught drums in different private music schools and was the head of the drummers ensemble. Now I left from the music school and teaching at my own drum studio, developing my YouTube channel and trying to make my own music. So I think I’m on the begging of my professional way.

MARKUS FALLER – GERMANY

• Born in Rastatt (Germany)
• Longtime studies of drums and percussion at University and private teachers. Since 1987 with Joe Koinzer (drums and percussion). Since 1994 with Hermann Mutschler and Klaus Kugel (drums).
• Bands and projects: After beginning in rock bands member of a lot of bands and orchestras in different styles! (see media and links)
• Former member of the “Jazz Orchestra of the Federal Republic of Germany” conducted by Peter Herbolzheimer.
• Toured: Italy, France, Poland, Switzerland, Argentina, Uruguay, Korea, Netherlands, USA, Turkey, Spain, Austria, Hungary, Norway, Czech Republic, India, Sri Lanka, Belgium, Luxembourg, Estonia, Russia, Greece, Sweden, Denmark, Romania, Moldavia, Haiti, etc.
• Worked with: Jo Koinzer, John Marks, Friedemann, Torbjorn Sunde, Peter Lehel, Rüdiger Oppermann, Herbert Joos, Jerry Bergonzi, Philippe Geiss, Thomas Siffling, Peter Schindler, Birelli Lagrene etc. 

BALAZS BAGYI – HUNGARY

Hungarian jazz drummer, composer, music educator and producer Balázs Bágyi would definitely be on the list of contemporary artists who represent a 21st century global approach to today’s jazz and world music scene.

His unique style of playing drums is full of energy and passion, using both powerful attacks and gentle movements on his instrument simultaneously. Rolling rhythms and natural warm sounds are the main characteristics of his musical voice, his melodic way of playing the drum kit gives a complex music experience.

During the last decade he has became an internationally respected artist, collaborating with numerous American and European musicians and touring several times in the USA, all across Europe and China. 

Balázs is the President of the Hungarian Jazz Federation.

ANDREA PISU –  UK

ROHAN JAMES BUMBRA –  UK

JOHNNY KINGS – BRAZIL

Johnny Kings is currently the drummer for the band Reckoning Hour. His musical story started long ago back in 2004, when he took the drumsticks and dedicated his life to the instrument. With his current band, Johnny recorded two full length albums that showed a great prominence in the Brazilian scene beeing part of tours with great names of the industry such as As I Lay Dying, Killswitch Engage, In Flames, Dream Theater, Children of Bodom, The Black Dahlia Murder, Suicide Silence, Sepultura, Krisiun, Almah, among other bands.

WAGNER OLIVEIRA – BRAZIL

DELOV JAVOR – CZECHIA

JO PITARCH – SPAIN

LAURENT BATAILLE – FRANCE

TOM TAMADA – JAPAN

BAY BEIRAI – JAPAN

HITOSHI KUSUNOKI – JAPAN

KYOICHI SHINO – JAPAN

RISA OKADA – JAPAN

RYO EBIHARA – JAPAN

SUZUKI MASATOSHI – JAPAN

SHINCI ASAKURA – JAPAN

TATSUO HAYASHI – JAPAN

YOUSUKE YOKAYAMA – JAPAN

YUKI AOYAMA – JAPAN

YUKIHIRO TAKAHASHI – JAPAN

STEPHANE BABIAUD – FRANCE

WAGNER EMANUEL – BRAZIL

DEMIAN GOMEZ – GREECE

ILKER BALIC – TURKEY

BEHSAT BORAN – TURKEY

He was born on November 24, 1978. He started music at the age of ten by playing the piano. At the age of fifteen, he started to play drums in an orchestra with his friends. He came to Istanbul in 2000 and started his professional music career. He accompanied many artists and musicians in stage and album works. These include; Fettah CAN, Buray, Aleyna TİLKİ, Ece SEÇKİN, Ziynet SALİ, Burak KUT, Gülben ERGEN, Kutsi, Cengiz KURTOĞLU, Harun KOLÇAK and many other artists.
THE ARTISTS HE PLAYED:
Simge
Gökhan TEPE
Burcu GÜNEŞ
Beyaz SHOW
ALBUMS PLAYING:
Simge – Ben Bazen (2018)
Gökhan TEPE – Yaz (2018)
Buray – Ask Mı Lazım (2017)
Fettah CAN – Sen En Çok Asksın (2017)
Bahadır TATLIOZ – Su Yolunu Bulur (2018)
Sibel CAN – Yeni Aşk (2018)
Emre ALTUĞ – Yıldırım Gürses Sarkıları (2017)
Ziynet SALİ – BKM Concert Album (2010)
Bilge NİHAN – Net (2016)
İrfan ÖZATA – Hayat Okulu (2013)
Selçuk BASA – Amorf (2016)
Gülnur GÖKÇE – Icimdeki Ses (2018)
Tolerance Break- Nonself (2018)
Ben Deniz – Best Of Vol.1 – Vol, 2 (2018)
Merve ÖZBEY – Devran (2018)
Tuğba YURT – Masal (2018)
Volkan Konak – Dalya (2019)
Ayla ÇELİK – Daha Bi Asık (2019)
Gökhan Tepe – Asmalı (2019)

MUSTAFA TELLI – TURKEY

Mustafa Telli was born on 12 December 1976 in Neumarkt, Germany. Mustafa has been interested in musical instruments since his childhood and the beginning of his musical life begins when he went to a jazz concert at the age of 12. He was so impressed by the concert and decided to become a drummer. Later on, he took his first music lesson from his uncle and as many drummers did, he set up a drumset with pots at home.Due to his growing interest and his success in music, his father decided to buy him a real drum set. Mustafa began to practice on a real drum set what his uncle taught him. When Mustafa Telli turned to 16, he started playing with pop and rock bands in various clubs in Istanbul and Edirne.

In later times, he started to the create and develop of his own style by assimilating different music styles like Pop – Rock – Jazz – Ethnic Music – Folk Music – Arabesque. As a result of his intensive work in this direction, Mustafa Telli has worked with many well known musicians and singers.

Mustafa is currently playing drums with legend Turkish rock music band “Kurtalan Ekspres”.

DYLAN SUIERVELD

GIANLUCA BRUGNANO – ITALY

Gianluca Brugnano, born in 1980,  is a Neapolitan drummer and musician. Over the years he has dedicated himself to Jazz as well as Rap and Pop and had a lot of theatrical experiences. A long series of successful collaborations marks his professional career. Alternating hip hop groove to free interpretations and Mediterranean expressiveness.

Training

Gianluca Brugnano began studying music at the age of ten, when he approached drums for the first time. After a few years, he already collaborates with several important musicians, such as Pippo Matino, Marco Zurzolo and Antonio Onorato.

His enthusiasm and determination led him to perform at Jazz festivals and events. He takes part, therefore, to the “Montreal Jazz Festival”, “Umbria Jazz”, “Moods Switzerland”. In addition, to the “Festival de Quebec” and the one in Mexico City, the “Blue Note New York” and many others.

But his career is constantly on the rise. In fact, Gianluca Brugnano records  two albums with Onorato’s quartet.

Later, the Italian drummer records the album Lunaria for the Universal Classics & Jazz label. The album, released in 2009, is a collection of original tracks by  the trumpeter Luca Aquino, in which other artists have also taken part. That is, Giovanni Francesca on guitar, Marco Bardoscia on electric bass. And then, Maria Pia De Vito, the great Roy Hargrove and Carla Casarano.

Following Lunaria, he left for a tour that lasted two years. He follows the theatrical experience with Luca Barbareschi and Chiara Noschese, with whom he leaves for another tour to present the show “Il caso di Alessandro e Maria”.

He currently teaches at Wozzap, his music school in Naples.

Now, he’s on tour with the Italian pop singer Rocco Hunt.

Collaborations

Gianluca Brugnano has collaborated with numerous national and international jazz artists. We remember Maria Pia De Vito, Javier Girotto, Marco Tamburini, Umberto Muselli, Andrea Rea.

In addition, the Neapolitan drummer plays with Francesco Villani, Billy Preston, Daniele Scannapieco, Kandace Lindsey, Pietra Montecorvino, Eugenio Bennato, Omar Sosa.

He has also collaborated with the Art Ensamble of Chicago. And, again, with Pippo Matino, Antonio Onorato, Joe Amoruso, Gianni Bardaro and Marco Zurzolo.

PAVEL STEPANOV – RUSSIA

MEMDUH AKATAY – TURKEY

He was born  in Izmir on July 04, 1990. He met music at a very early age. He made his first professional studio recording at the age of 12 with his father Hamdi and uncle Mehmet Akatay, who are known as Akatay brothers (akatay project) on their albums. Along with his father and uncle, who came from an important musician family, he continued his music life and received special trainings with the feyzes he received from great masters.

His mission in music is to modernize and adapt the past’s mystics to today’s sounds. He has signed many cover projects and is also a founding member of the cabinet big drama group, together with (local strangers) and (just feel) albums. He has worked with important music people and orchestras in very important music festivals in the world and in our country, some of which are; Trilok Gurtu, Marcello Route, the royal philharmonic orchestra, boy george, Sezen Aksu, Tarkan, soulful, coral grandfather. Akatay attending many world festivals such as Montreux jazz, koblenz horizonte, sydney turkish week, spain burgoss, africa cap town buskers fest. He represented our country with his music in various parts of the world including America, Europe, Asia and Africa. The artist is still actively working on stage and studio works of many famous domestic and foreign names.

SAMET SUER – TURKEY

MEHMET DUDARIK – TURKEY

BERFU ALKAN – TURKEY

MAKUN SUZUKI – JAPAN

ONUR ERTUG – TURKEY

EREN DEGIRMENCI – TURKEY

He was born in 1988 in Istanbul. In 2009, Müjdat Gezen art center won the light western music section. He graduated in 2013. During this period, he received his drum training from Mert Türkmen, and he worked with Fatih Erkoç for 2 years and Fuat Güner for 1 year. 

Later, he continued his education with Doğaç Titiz and taught at Yamaha Music School (2010-2013) and Time Fine Arts School (2015-2018) for 3 years.

After establishing his own music studio in 2013, he had the opportunity to play many albums, singles and jingle records. Currently, Etiler music school and Zuhal music academy are still providing education.He is also an instructor at LCM (London Collage of Music).

The projects and artists he has been in:

Doğa için çal , Huysuz müzikali, Kurtalan Ekspres, Nev, Ersen ve Dadaşlar, Ferda Anıl Yarkın, Lara, Orhan Ölmez, Turgay Başyayla, Erdal Bayrakoğlu, Cihan Yıldız, Nil Karataş, Cerem Onurluer, Anıl Durmuş…

He still continues to work actively with many artists.

TOLGA KAYA – TURKEY

I was born on January 30^th in 1996 in İstanbul. My craze for music and the drum started when I was in high school. Although I had my degree in the Department of Political Science and International Relations, I preferred to become a professional musician and a drummer. I have been make a living out of music so far. I have participated in many night bar programs, festivals, and social responsibility projects with my first music band, Cem Session. We worked in cooperation with UCIM, “Society against Child Abuse” and organized a big concert in Dorock XL in the Kadıköy Sound festival. We took place in this concert as the core crew and we were accompanied by almost 10 performers. My band, Cem Session and I performed on the same stage with the master musicians such as Gür Akad, Zafer Sanlı, Aydın Şeref from one of the Turkish Anatolian rock groups “Yol Arkadaşları”. Moreover, for a very long time, we had stage and studio rehearsals with Erdem Sudabay, who is one of the representatives of Anatolian Rock music. I took part in the Rock’n Roll project with Erhan Demir. Now we are continuing our stage and studio performances with the music band called “Nasıl Yani”. Lastly ,we made a studio recording with my band which is called Nasıl Yani and we are preparing for a video clip right now. In addition to this, I give private drum lessons along with my music career.

MERIH BASANCI – TURKEY

AHMET KOSE – TURKEY

Ahmet is a great progressive drummer. He plays at various music styles. Besides drumming with his own music group FARFARA, he also posts regular educational videos in his social media profiles. He is quite well known amongst young Turkish Drummers and he has contributed a lot to drumming community in Turkey.