ROBERT NALIN

I was born 1959 in Singapore.I learned to listen, understand and play the techniques of Latin jazz, funk, fusion, rock, pop, reggae and R&B groove.As a young child of a music-loving family, I was inspired by the blood-stirring rhythms at Indian temples.As a teenager I started playing in a rock band called Bull Clap Havoc with fellow schoolmates such as Michael De Souza, Nicholas DeSilva and a well-known local singer/writer, director for COMPASS (Composers and Author’s Society), Mel Ferdinands who is also currently a Senior Director for SAF Film Company.Throughout the 80s I widened my repertoire by playing pop and rock music in various bands throughout Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Japan and Taiwan.In Taiwan, I worked with artistes like Fei Xiang and Kao Ling Fung. I also played with the legendary rock band from Singapore, The Blackjacks.I have also played with Iskandar Ismail (local producer and musical arranger) with a local band called Hangloose featuring Kaye Hamid on vocals.The experience gained from playing and performing with a variety of different bands in the region, exposed me to many different styles of music.Also worked with a very legendary rock singer and producer, Ramli Sarip, on the road and in the studios.As the 90’s approached I began to explore more deeply my growing passion for Latin, Jazz, Funk and R&B groove.In 1990, I performed with American bass player Paul Jackson, guitarist John Kaizan from Japan, Lewis Pragasam ‘Father of Drums’ in Malaysia and Steve Thornton for the ASIABEAT and Friends DRUMUSIQUE Concert at the Singapore Conference Hall.During this period, I also performed with Anita Sarawak’s band called Singapore Swing at all the Hard Rock Cafés in Asia.In 1995, I was invited to play with the Gypsy Kings in their concert here in Singapore at the Harbour Pavillion and played alongside Mohammad Noor, Nantha Kumar and Joe Jayaveeran.During that time I also played with Sixty-Six Jam and Déjàvu a local world music band which was fronted by local singer, Wendi Koh.I have also played with Bandoleros in 1997 at Mambo Kings with a flamenco guitar player, Jose Luis Dominguez from Spain, Antonio Caffiero from Chile and Manuel Campos Reina from Sevilla, Spain. They are composers and songwriters.In 1996, I spent 18 months in Europe and Asia Pacific playing with a number of bands including Cuban band, Salsa Mania.On my return to Singapore I joined Latin fusion band Ireson consisting Alina Ramirez on piano, Mario Lopez on bass, Greg Lyons on saxophone, Eddie on trumpets, Alonzo and Steve Thornton on percussions while giving me the opportunity to further explore my love for Latin Jazz.I have continued on to become a studio sessionist/drummer. My more significant associations in the studio have been with Spanish guitarist Yoni Vidal from Spain and the Singapore Symphony Orchestra.Also worked with many other producers like S. Atan in the Malay Radio and TV Programmes and also recording in studios for Malay traditional songs.From 1998 onwards I performed in CHIJMES for the International Latin and Jazz Festivals. I have also played with both local and foreign artists at these festivals.I have played with well-respected regional artist Paul Ponnudorai and Ignatius Bong on bass, as a trio.Had also performed in a club called SWING (formerly a haven for musicians) which was located at Cuppage, with a trio called Charisma featuring Michael Stanton and Marcus Dengate and international and local singers like Anne Weerapass, Alemay and Vanessa Fernandez, Beverly Morata, Denise Mininfield and others to name a few.Jeremy Monteiro is also one of the artistes that I have played with together with Christie Smith, William Gathright, Chris Robinson, Navin Kumar (local percussionist) and also with the band called Fuse with Fendi Sahid, Munir Alsagoff and Kerong Cheok.I've had the opportunity to play with Adlan Cruz, a classically trained and accomplished pianist from Puerto Rico, who did a concert here alongside with Faiser Flores, a conga player from Colombia.Had also played with the likes of Denis Follington, Marcus Dengate and Sebastian Ho Wee Keat for a Musical called Two Gentlemen of Verona by Galt MacDermot, John Guare and Mel Shapiro for the LaSalle-SIA College of the Arts.I'm also a key facilitator in the renowned STIX - Motivation Through Music group, a company of musicians that turn conference audiences into orchestras to highlight the importance of team dynamics. STIX empowers participants with the ability to perform music together, just like a professional symphony orchestra, and by doing so demonstrates the true power of teamwork. Robert and the STIX team headed by a jazz pianist, Duncan McKee, we travel the region facilitating experiential teambuilding workshops and are fast becoming the most popular motivational group for events. We have worked with many of the largest multinational corporations including Microsoft, Intel and Dell.I also tour with the Jackson Twinz (AOC) from Atlanta, Georgia, in Singapore and all around Asia Pacific.I have also been an educator for the past five years, passing on my skills and knowledge to students at the Australian International School and the German European School in Singapore.I was recently inducted into the Zildjian’s global family of endorsed artists alongside two other Singapore ambassadors, Mark de Souza and Tama Goh.Recently, I played for “Once On This Island”, a musical featuring the graduating cohort of Asia’s first BA (Hons) Musical Theatre programme of LASALLE-SIA College of the Arts directed by Shaun Murphy and Tony McGill.I played alongside Marcus Dengate, Tony McGill, Bronwyn Gibson and Feri Susanto. The music was written by Stephen Flaherty.I have also released a DVD called ‘Beat The Rhythm’ which I produced myself.It is based on a percussion concert featuring local and international percussionists performing on stage with the students from the Australian International School Singapore.All of which are original compositions.This is the first ever concert produced by a local drummer/percussionist and the first ever DVD done in the Australian International School Singapore.Currently playing concerts with EDNIA, with Marcus Dengate and Bruno Le Flanchec and doing original materials based on fusion music.I also recently played a concert at The Powerhouse, Esplanade Singapore with Grammy Award Winners, The BordererS from Scotland for the Singapore Arts Festival.___________________________________These are just some of the people that I've worked with and the people I've met along the way. Also included are my students from the Australian International School Singapore, this picture included was taken right after my 'Beat The Rhythm' concert which was held at the Australian International School Singapore's auditorium.Grammy Winners,The BordererS with Duncan McKee
..
Add to My Profile | More VideosDuncan McKee Trio

Add to My Profile | More Videos

Create your own visitor map!