Untitled Document

[BIOGRAPHY]

Recognized for his "exhaustively innovative drumming" (NYTimes), for performances that leave "a lasting impression of his talent and his particular approach to music" (Drums Etc.), and for a "virtuosity that touches great depth, eliciting that special emotion from his listeners well beyond the mere consideration of his technical wizardry" (Batteur Magazine, France), Ron Thaler continues to blaze trails around the world.

Ron’s career spans a wide range of styles and disciplines. He has worked with many of the world’s finest artists including Dweezil Zappa, DJ Logic, Tess, Sarah McLachlan, The Led Zep Project, Sophie B. Hawkins, Moev, Mae Moore, Taj Mahal, Simaku, Mercedes Ferrer, Lizzy Mercier, Taylor Dayne, Al DiMeola, Mike Stern, Hiram Bullock, Rufus Reid, Will Lee, Chip Jackson and Ray Anderson.

Originally from Vancouver Canada, Ron was a first call session and touring drummer, working with recording artists such as Sarah McLachlan, Moev, Ultramarine, Tom Arntzen, Mae Moore, Ian McDougall, Monique Van Dam, Mark Hasselbach and Daryl Jahnke. Ron then moved to New York and quickly became immersed in the city's hectic music scene. Performing on jingles for McDonalds, Coca Cola and The Cartoon Network, Ron began working in African and Soukous circles with recording artists Alain "Nkossi" Konda and Dominic Kanza (guitarist with Paul Simon), in Eddy Zak's psycho-fusion ensemble Swivelhead, and in flamenco-jazz project "Conosur" (with a revolving cast of participants including percussionist Manolo Badrena (Weather Report) and guitar legend Al DiMeola) .

Ron’s talents continue to make him a valuable commodity on stage and in the studio. Recently Ron could be seen touring and performing with indie-pop icon Kirsten DeHaan, Japanese pop-punk sensation MimiRock, Albanian pop star Simaku, indie rockers MJ12, Lesser Green and 5th of July, blues legend Taj Mahal, afrobeat soukous star Kaleta, and latin-r&b chanteuse (and one of Ray Charles’s Raylettes) Andromeda Turre. Ron can be heard on new releases by Leo Agutin (featuring Al DiMeola, Anthony Jackson and Vinnie Colaiuta) “Pioncha”, Andreas Schuld “Brouhaha”, John Tennyson “PopJazz”, Bill Tonsaker “5 Bucks A Lick”, Joie Lenz “One More Thing”, Martin’s Mavens “My Sins”, Jordan Hirsch “Shadowless”, JacobBand “Just a Tourist Here”, "Guitar Talk Part 1" (featuring Frank Gambale, Chuck Loeb, Mark Egan, Jimmy Earl and Jon Hammond), and on The Led Zep Project “Jazzed & Confused” (featuring Dweezil Zappa, DJ Logic and Mike Stern).

Ron took on the chores of bandleader when he formed the True Story Band (TSB) in 1994, and toured the group throughout Europe, Canada, and the USA. Ron's compositions are showcased on the band's two releases, "...Works" (TP Records) and "Grain" (EFA/JVC). Ron's new band, ELIMOTION, co-led with guitarist extraordinaire Elijah Steele, has recently completed a new album, ELIMOTION 1, featuring electric bass phenom Matt Garrison (John McLaughlan, Joe Zawinul, Herbie Hancock) and turntablist-magician DJ Logic (Vernon Reid, MMW, John Mayer). ELIMOTION 1 captures the vibrant eclectic sounds coming from New York’s downtown music scene, creating music that can only be described as “intense, unrelenting, moody, sexy, funky, “take no prisoners” electric jazz fusion.

And as one of the world's most in-demand drum clinicians, Ron has delivered a dizzying number of clinics and workshops throughout Europe, North America, South America and the South Pacific and continues to be invited to perform at many of the world’s largest drum festivals. (see Clinic page for dates and locations).

Most recently, Ron has broadened his career to include work as a soundtrack composer for films and TV, both independent and other. His recent soundtrack for X-Files/Starstruck Films “Tilt” has garnered him a Leo nomination (BCFIA) for best film music.

To further his interest in the field, Ron recently entered into a partnership with Salme Dahlstrom at GOFA MUSIC (www.gofamusic.com), a firm dedicated to the creation, presentation and promotion of independent music for soundtracks, commercials and industrials.

For more, you can see Ron in Modern Drummer Magazine, JazzTimes, Jazziz, Talking Drums, L'Est Republicain, Toronto Star, Montreal Gazette, GoodTimes, New York Times, CBC TV, MTV, MuchMusic, Brave New Waves and Pulse Magazine, and in interviews in Canadian Musician Magazine ('96), Drums etc. ('97), Sabian NewsBeat 2003, France's Batteur Magazine ('95 & '98) and in Australia's DrumScene (Mar. '03, June '03, Sept '03). Look for Ron in a new feature interview in the March 2004 edition of Drums Etc...
To check out some articles go to the Press page.