Quick Facts
GeminiBiography
Ralph Salmins (born 4 June 1964) is a British drummer and percussionist.
He works as a professor at the Royal College of Music, who have described him as "one of the world’s most in-demand drummers".
According to MusicRadar, "Ralph Salmins is one of Britain’s most accomplished drummers. Acclaimed for his versatility, he’s at home with all styles of jazz, pop, rock, West End and studio work. And if that’s not enough there’s his tally of over 100 movie soundtracks."
He has won Best Drummer in the British Jazz Awards.
Education and career
Salmins worked for the Ken Mackintosh Band and at his behest took lessons from Lloyd Ryan. He studied classical percussion at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
The long list of artists he has performed or recorded with include Gloria Gaynor, Lulu, John Etheridge, Annie Whitehead, the BBC Big Band, Loose Tubes, Everything but the Girl, Paul McCartney, George Martin, Elton John, Madonna, James Brown, Tom Jones, Mike Oldfield, Chaka Khan, Dionne Warwick, Quincy Jones, Diana Ross, Burt Bacharach, Alison Krauss, Sheryl Crow, Tori Amos, Alanis Morissette, Paloma Faith, the Bee Gees, Elvis Costello, Jeff Beck, Alice Cooper, Michel Legrand, Michael Bublé, Josh Groban and Wynton Marsalis.
He spent four years and made three albums with Van Morrison.
He performed on Björk's 1995 cover of "It's Oh So Quiet" and Robbie Williams's album Swing When You're Winning. He played drums on An Appointment with Mr Yeats, the tenth studio album by The Waterboys and performs internationally with the band.
Drums and other equipment
Salmins endorses Gretsch Drums, Sabian cymbals, Vic Firth Sticks, Remo heads, Gibraltar Hardware, Hardcase Cases, and Protection Racket.