ROBBY COLEMAN BIO:
Robby Coleman was born April 18, 1986 in Oxford, Ohio. He
grew up in Connersville, Indiana. At age 8, he started taking
private lessons on snare drum at Denny's Drum Depot in Connersville.
After lesson one, he knew he had found his passion. Before
entering High School, after playing in the Connersville Middle
School bands for three years, he decided to seek private instruction
outside of Connersville in order to help fully realize his
potential. It is here that he started his long relationship
with mentor, and President of Bongo Boy Music, Ed Gaus.
Throughout High School, Coleman played in the Connersville
High School marching, jazz, pep, and concert bands, and accompanied
the show choir, as well as performing in various all district
and all region bands. His senior year, he was a percussionist
in the highly selective Indianapolis Youth Wind Ensemble.
After high school, Coleman chose to stay in the Indianapolis
area and attend IUPUI, where he had the privilege to study
under Johnny Lee Lane (now director of Education for REMO
Inc.) and Richard Walker. In college, he has performed with
the Urban Drum Ensembles, Afro-Cuban ensemble, Steel Pan Ensemble,
and Percussion Ensemble, as well as being the drummer in the
top big band and Jazz combo under the direction of Dr. John
Vander Gheynst.
Known for his funky, intellectual grooves, Coleman plays
in various groups around Indianapolis with styles ranging
from rock and funk, to jazz and samba, including the rock
band Finer, alongside fellow Bongoboy instructor Ethan Starzman
(bass guitar). Coleman has had the privilege of opening up
for the following groups and artists: Jimmy Buffett, Sister
Hazel, TR3 (featuring Tim Reynolds of the Dave Matthews Band),
Jon McLaughlin, Need to Breathe, and Luna Halo, among others.
While a student at Bongo Boy, he had the pleasure of studying
under: Ed Gaus, Kenny Aronoff, Walfredo Reyes Jr., Zoro, Rick
Latham, and John Blackwell Jr. Besides all of his instructors,
Coleman's influences include: David Garibaldi, Stanton Moore,
Steve Gadd, Chad Sexton, Brian Blade, Jeff Ballard, and Johnny
Vidacovich- with whom Coleman travels to New Orleans, Louisiana
to study under yearly.
