Robert Castelli

Born into a family of drummers (a grandfather, two uncles & his father), Robert learned the basics from his father, who, along with his Uncle, were lifetime members of the NYC Musicians Union, AFM Local 802.

By high school, having started private lessons as well as classes in music theory, he was playing professionally all over the NY/Tri-State area. He went on to study Theory & Composition, Piano, Guitar, Orchestra Percussion & Drums at the Westchester Conservatory of Music, State University of NY at New Paltz, and Drummers Collective NYC. Over the years he has studied with some of the most well known drummers in New York & the world including, Ed Soph, Gary Chester, Kim Plainfield, Tony “Thunder” Smith, Robbie Gonzalez, Robbie Ameen, Horacio el Negro Hernandez, and Joe Ascione.

After several years in Austria, Robert now lives in Barcelona, Spain, where he continues to play and record with well known & up & coming artists in just about every style (Pop, Rock, Funk, Jazz, Latin, World, Musical Theater, etc.) from small clubs to small stadiums.

His playing as a sideman has been written about in The NY Times online, Cadence Magazine, Jazz Halo Belgium, and Drums & Percussion Germany. His 3 Boom releases have received critical acclaim from some of the most widely read magazines and websites in the USA, Canada, UK, and Europe.

Robert is also an accomplished guitar player. He started out at 14, learning on his own with songbooks brought home by his father, who at the time worked for G. Shermer's in NYC to supplement his income. Eventually he went on to study with Mark Slifstien at Westchester Conservatory in White Plains, NY, and privately with ex Berklee guitar teacher Alex Adrian, in Queens, NY.

Founding ‘Trio of Boom’ in 2007, Robert has played with different configurations of 'Boom!' over the years, and continues to explore new musical territories as such.

Robert Castelli: Party at One World Plaza

Read "Party at One World Plaza" reviewed by Chris M. Slawecki

by Chris M. Slawecki
June 27, 2021

Third-generation drummer Robert Castelli demonstrates the different aspects of great jazz drumming as he leads his live ensemble through his own compositions in this energetic, bouncy and thoroughly lively Party at One World Plaza. A New York State native based in Barcelona (after living for several years in Austria), Castelli throws this collective BOOM down with the help of groove mixologists from around the world: Argentinian guitarist Dani Perez, Swiss keyboardist Gilles Estoppey and Spanish bassist Emilio Martin. ...

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Take Five With...

Take Five With Robert Castelli

by AAJ Staff
April 6, 2009

Meet Robert Castelli: Born in Ossining, New York, to a family of drummers. Studied at Westchester Conservatory and Drummers Collective. First time on stage at eight years old. Growing up in and around New York City exposed him to all styles of music and, as a result, played in eclectic musical situations from pop, rock, jazz, funk, Latin amd Brazilian to Musical Theater. His playing and original music have been written about in the New York Times ...

Recording

Drummer Robert Castelli Releases 'Party At One World Plaza'

Source: Robert Castelli
September 14, 2021

Released during lockdown, Party at One World Plaza continues to garner great reviews and continued radio play on podcasts, internet and traditional radio in Europe, the U.K., Canada and the USA. A drummer and bandleader who writes the music for the band, Castelli says he's trying to motivate the drumming community to be more musical, come out from behind the kit, lead a band and yes, even compose music. Here's just some of what is being said by journalists. “As ...
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Recording

Grimedia & Impressus Records Release Cardinal!

Source: All About Jazz
September 4, 2009

Cardinal is a project, like many of those relying on improvisation, that was accomplished in a three-day studio meeting. The participating individuals had previously collaborated on separate projects – (Cosottini-Miano had produced “The Curvature of Pace”, Impressus-GRIM 2007, and Cosottini-Melani-Pisani where part of the EAQuartet Electroacoustic Quartet, GRIM 2007) – but never before in this fashion. The title, in reference to the four cardinal points, was chosen to reflect a multidirectional sound, and thus the choice ...
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New Reviews "you feel carried away into the world of Afro-Cuban music, West African rhythms, jazz rock of the 70s and 80s with rhythm par excellence. It is your own fault if you do not move with such a rhythmic design!" Ferdinand Dupius-Panther, Jazz Halo, Dec 2020"

As a drummer, Castelli is dominant while ironically not appearing to dominate the tunes. His drumming fades in and out, and when he comes out from the shadows, you realize you’re listening to a guy who is in the same league as Tony Williams, Billy Cobham, and Art Blakey." - George R Glasser, J

"The drummer’s undoubted ‘way with a groove’ helps to push the soloists to new heights on a set of compositions that stir other elements, notably from Africa and Brazil, into the broadly fusion-esque style. There’s jazz, rock, funk and blues too, and it makes for a fascinating and beguiling mix. A very energising and satisfying listen." www.thejazzmann.com Nov 2020

"Robert Castelli/Boom Quartet Live at Porgy & Bess" www.thejazzmann.com/reviews/review/robert-castelli-boom-quartet-live-at-porgy-bess-vienna/

"An unqualified, unimpeded parade of joyous song & motion!" T. Bruce Wittet, Editor in Chief Muzik Etc, Drums Etc magazines www.tbrucewittet.comCanada Nov 2010

"This is jazz that dances. The interaction, the improvisation & the bop are stuff of jazz night clubs, while the folkloric forms are alive & vibrant. Consistantly joyful!" Halley Southgate, People Will Talk Media Scotland Nov 2010

Brecon Jazz Fest Aug 2010

" A thoroughly enjoyable set brought to a rousing finale w/Castelli´s infectious piece `African Dance“. Good stuff!“ Ian Mann www.thejazzmann.com

Robert Castelli/Boom Quartet (April 2008) UK Press & Reviews

…”mixes witty melodies with tough swing and nasty funk”. Time Out London June ´09

“A feast of styles, from World Music to tasteful brushwork” Rhythm Magazine UK June ´09

“massive energy!” Lee Paterson, www.gogobetween.com(UK) March ´09

“solid groove. Tasteful playing. (Buy it) . Brent Keefe, Drummer Mag UK Oct `08

“funky, gutsy Jazz/Funk”….. Selwyn Harris, Jazzwise London August `08

“..Amazing!” London Saxophonist Gilad Atzmon www.gilad.co.uk

International Press & Reviews

“This isn’t smoothed out Los Angeles funk; this is get-down, get-greasy and get-dirty music that's still delivered with finesse and invention”…….John Kelman allaboutjazz.com (Canada), AbstractLogix.com Feb. `09

"fine arrangements & inspired soloing". Drums & Percussion Magazine (Germany). March ´09

"Solid grooves and wonderful texture make this a must have album from incredible drummer RobertCastelli." www.abstractlogix.com (USA)Nov `08

“powerful groove, exciting sounds. Castelli has a bright future!” Alfred Kondraf Concerto Magazine (Vienna) August ´08

"Castelli is a rare drummer, & rarely have there been such solid grooves, imaginative solos, and lush sonic textures since Steve Kahn’s Eyewitness"....T. Bruce Wittet Editor in Chief, Drums Etc (Canada), Associate Editor, Muzik Etc (Canada), staff writer Modern Drummer magazine (USA). April ´08

...exciting, groovy and funky jazz. The cohesion of this band is exceptional. Castelli is a rhythm machine ....Jos Demol, Jazz’halo & Jazz!Brugge (Belgium) March ´08

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Primary Instrument

Drums

Location

Barcelona

Willing to teach

Beginner to advanced

Credentials/Background

I have been teaching drums & guitar since I was 20 yrs old. From 2014-2016 I taught drums, guitar and Music Theory in the Vienna School System in Vienna, Austria. I also taught drums & Orchestra Percussion at The American International School, Vienna, Austria. I am available for in-person & online lessons. Please contact me for rates, packages, clinics and Masterclasses here: [email protected]