BIOGRAPHY
Ricardo A. Haila discovered his passion for drums at the young age of 10. Guided by mentor Christopher Michael Shaheen, he developed his drumming skills while pursuing a Business Degree.
His journey led him to the Collective School of Music in New York City, where he deepened his musical education. Ricardo completed a Bachelor's degree in Jazz Studies, followed by a Master's in Middle Eastern Music at Antonine University.
During his time in the United States, he studied with acclaimed drummers such as Mark Guiliana, Dave Weckl, Thomas Lang, Steve Smith, Antonio Sanchez, Jojo Mayer, Chris Coleman, Dan Weiss, John Riley, Bob Breithaupt, Ari Hoenig, Gregory Hutchinson, Portinho, Daniel Glass, Peter Retzlaff, Ian Froman, Vince Cherico, Jason Gianni, Frank Katz, Adriano Santos, Tobias Ralph, Maciek Schejbal, Fred Klatz, Marko Djordjevic, Karim Ziad, and others.
While Ricardo’s expertise lies in drum set performance, he also has a deep appreciation for traditional Middle Eastern instruments such as the qanoun, darbouka, riq, and frame drums. His passion also extends to Brazilian & Cuban percussion.
Ricardo has shared his knowledge as a drum set and Middle Eastern percussion instructor at respected institutes and workshops in Lebanon. He currently teaches at the Conservatoire de Paris, continuing his commitment to musical education.
He has collaborated with renowned artists such as Ziad Rahbany, Oussama Rahbany, Omar Rahbany, the Lebanese Philharmonic Orchestra, Mazzika Orchestra, Hiba Tawaji, Jihad Akl, Abdou Cherif, Ziad Bourji, Ramy Ayach, The Broken Wings Musical, and various local jazz musicians.
Notably, Ricardo has performed at major events including the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, the AFC Asian Cup 2024, and a special performance at UNESCO Paris. He has released his own album Echoes of the Future and authored the book series Flow in Rhythm, both showcasing his unique musical voice and expertise on drums.
He is currently working on a new Oriental jazz album and writing his next drum method book.
His journey led him to the Collective School of Music in New York City, where he deepened his musical education. Ricardo completed a Bachelor's degree in Jazz Studies, followed by a Master's in Middle Eastern Music at Antonine University.
During his time in the United States, he studied with acclaimed drummers such as Mark Guiliana, Dave Weckl, Thomas Lang, Steve Smith, Antonio Sanchez, Jojo Mayer, Chris Coleman, Dan Weiss, John Riley, Bob Breithaupt, Ari Hoenig, Gregory Hutchinson, Portinho, Daniel Glass, Peter Retzlaff, Ian Froman, Vince Cherico, Jason Gianni, Frank Katz, Adriano Santos, Tobias Ralph, Maciek Schejbal, Fred Klatz, Marko Djordjevic, Karim Ziad, and others.
While Ricardo’s expertise lies in drum set performance, he also has a deep appreciation for traditional Middle Eastern instruments such as the qanoun, darbouka, riq, and frame drums. His passion also extends to Brazilian & Cuban percussion.
Ricardo has shared his knowledge as a drum set and Middle Eastern percussion instructor at respected institutes and workshops in Lebanon. He currently teaches at the Conservatoire de Paris, continuing his commitment to musical education.
He has collaborated with renowned artists such as Ziad Rahbany, Oussama Rahbany, Omar Rahbany, the Lebanese Philharmonic Orchestra, Mazzika Orchestra, Hiba Tawaji, Jihad Akl, Abdou Cherif, Ziad Bourji, Ramy Ayach, The Broken Wings Musical, and various local jazz musicians.
Notably, Ricardo has performed at major events including the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, the AFC Asian Cup 2024, and a special performance at UNESCO Paris. He has released his own album Echoes of the Future and authored the book series Flow in Rhythm, both showcasing his unique musical voice and expertise on drums.
He is currently working on a new Oriental jazz album and writing his next drum method book.