Ralph Salmins

AGSM, FHEA

Drum Kit professor

Ralph’s signature groove has made him drummer of choice for producers and composers worldwide and he has performed or recorded with Paul McCartney, George Martin, Aretha Franklin, Elton John, Madonna, James Brown, Tom Jones, Mike Oldfield, Chaka Khan, Dionne Warwick, Quincy Jones, Diana Ross, Burt Bacharach, Alison Krauss, Sheryl Crow, Elvis Costello, Jeff Beck, Michel Legrand and many more. Ralph’s chart hits include Bjork’s It’s Oh So Quiet and Robbie Williams’ multi-platinum Swing When You’re Winning album and DVD. Ralph toured the world in Van Morrison’s band from 1995–1999, recording four albums with him. He has played on the soundtracks to over 150 movies, including Harry Potter: The Prisoner of Azkaban, Goldeneye, Tomorrow Never Dies, Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, Moulin Rouge and Lord Of The Rings: Return Of The King.

Ralph joined The Waterboys in 2011 and continues to record and tour internationally with the band, currently alongside legendary Muscle Shoals bassist David Hood. Ralph’s love of jazz has led to work with some of the legends of the art form that include The Count Basie Orchestra, Mose Allison, Herb Ellis, Art Farmer, Jon Hendricks, John Lewis, Joe Lovano, Wynton Marsalis, James Moody, Mark Murphy, Annie Ross, Jimmy Witherspoon and Joe Williams. He is currently a member of The Guy Barker Jazz Orchestra, Colin Towns’ Mask Orchestra and is a regular guest with the NDR Big Band in Hamburg.

In 2012 Ralph acted as consultant for the London Olympic Opening Ceremony, coordinating 1,000 drummers with whom he performed to an audience of over one billion. When at home he records, composes, produces and teaches at his own Bunker Studio where Georgie Fame, Hamish Stuart, Jocelyn Brown, Nick Mason, Billy Cobham, David Sanborn and Michael McDonald have also recorded.

Faculties / departments: Percussion