About Ran Levari -
Ran Levari is an accomplished and versatile drummer, percussionist, teacher and electronic producer based in Berlin.
He is a member of acclaimed Electronic Rock project - “Die Wilde Jagd” and creates under “Breakbeat Meditations” - his current solo project.
On his off time from touring Ran plays in various sessions, teaches drum techniques to advanced students in his private studio and composes electronic music.
With A rich background of in various styles - from punk-rock and hardcore through traditional west African music to underground and experimental electronica, Ran offers a rich palate of rhythms and sounds, armed with a minimal drum kit, electronic and acoustic percussion and found percussive items - all augmented by an ever present array of electronic sound processors.
Apart from his musical activities Ran is also a practitioner of traditional and modern martial arts and heads the Berlin branch of international martial arts school - AKBAN.
BIO -
Born in Israel, Ran discovered his love for rhythmic and sound exploration at the age of 11, following the advice of his mother who thought he should try playing drums.
Growing up in Tel-Aviv Ran has spent many years studying with the Israel’s top teachers and devoted many hours every day in constant practicing. Among his many teachers were Doron Raphaeli, Aharale Kaminski, Alon Bohr (Israeli Philharmonic) and Israel’s legendary educator - David Rich, student of the great Joe Morello.
He later spent years expanding his drum kit vocabulary, studying Latin and African percussion with Avi Tzarfati and playing in various percussion ensembles, as well as experimenting with blending traditional and modern styles in various improvisational projects.
In 2000 Ran moved to New-York to continue his studies. Formally studying with master teacher - Dom Famularo and briefly with the great Jim Chapin and informally - attending numerous shows, master classes and jam sessions by notable NY musicians.
All through that time Ran has worked as a session drummer and percussionist, toured Internationally and continued expanding his teaching practice.
In 2015 Ran has relocated to Berlin to further promote his solo act - ‘Breakbeat Meditations’. He has since worked with local acts, touring and recording as well as teaching music and martial arts.
Notable session work, bands and collaborators:
- Dan Toren - Drums 1996 - 1998
- Pure Africa - Traditional African Percussion 1999 - 2000
- Abra Kadabra - Drums, African and Latin Percussion 1998 - 2000
- Resident Percussionist for 'Music+' production company 1997 - 2000
- Baba-Ganushka - Percussion 1998 - 2006
- Kokolo (NYC) - drums 2003 - 2004
- Regular shows as a club percussionist at NYC's -Pangaea, China Club, Chateau, Hammerstein Ballroom - Percussion (NYC) 2000 - 2004
- Marie Afonso of Zap Mama - Drums - 2000
- Mojahva - Drums and band production 2002 - 2004
- Porter - Drums and Percussion 2001 - 2004
- Keba Sisoko - Drums 2003
- Fernando Saunders - Drums 2003
- Nili Fink band - Drums and Electronic production 2005 - 2008
- David Majzlin - film composer - Drums and Percussion 2000 - 2004
- Yonatan Oppenheim Trio - Drums 2004 - 2006
- Karni Postal - Drums 2007
- The Sheketak dance company (International)
- Shye Ben-Tzur and the Rajasthan Gypsies - Drums (International)
- Siquit banding - Drums, Electronic Percussion, Composition, Sound Engineering and mixing
- Solo shows as '1MB' and ‘Breakbeat Meditations’ - Multi percussion, sound design, musical production 2014 - Ongoing
- Emika - Drum kit, electronic percussion - 2018
- Die Wilde Jagd - Drums, Electronic percussion, Programming 2017 - Ongoing