Howling Ramadaan, born on May 30, 1963, in London, is a renowned Indonesian drummer and musician. He is married to actress and presenter Shahnaz Haque. Howling is the second son of Kartahadimadja Ramadan (also known as Ramadhan KH), a poet, painter, and writer, and Safrida Nasution, who served as an ambassador.
Music Education
From an early age, Howling Ramadaan was exposed to a variety of musical instruments, including the piano, violin, and his primary passion, the drums. He began learning the violin at Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM) in 1971, where he was the youngest student. His musical journey continued two years later when he traveled to France to study piano and organ under the guidance of renowned composer Slamet Abdul Sjukur.
Howling’s sibling, Gumilang, furthered his education in the United States at Hollywood Professional School from 1980 to 1982, while Howling himself attended Los Angeles City College (LACC) from 1981 to 1984, majoring in percussion. During this time, he played with various bands, including the LACC Big Band, which he joined in 1983.
Music Groups
After returning to Indonesia, Howling performed with a variety of bands to enrich his experience as a drummer and explore different musical genres. He was part of Indra’s group Nebula in 1985, contributing to the fusion genre, and he collaborated with GIF (Gilang Indra Fariz) and Exit, both of which also focused on pop/fusion music.
In 1986, Howling joined Karimata and later became a member of Krakatau from 1986 to 1988, where he delved into jazz. He had a brief stint with the Andromeda group in 1987, alongside notable musicians like Alm. Jack Lesmana, Bubi Chen, Indra, and Benny Likumahuwa, focusing on mainstream jazz.
In collaboration with Indra, Howling was instrumental in forming the Group Indra in 1987, which pioneered progressive jazz and new age music. Together, they performed at the Singapore Jazz Festival in 1987 and participated in the Jakarta International Jazz Festival (Jak-Jazz) from 1988 to 1996. In 1991, he joined a pop-rock band that included Indra, Donny Suhendra, and Mates.
Throughout his career, Howling played a significant role in establishing the Java Jazz music groups, serving as a member along with Indra, Mates, Donny Suhendra, and Embong Rahardjo until mid-1993. In 1996, he formed a group called PIGS (Pre-Indra-Gilang) that specialized in spontaneous free jazz compositions, showcasing intricate techniques and harmonic colors.
In 2002, he founded the band Gilang Nera, which consists of members Gilang Ramadhan (drums), Donny Suhendra (guitar), Adi Darmawan (bass), Krishna Prameswara (keyboard), and Ivan Nestorman (vocals). Nera's music blends traditional Flores melodies with contemporary fusion, highlighted by Howling's dynamic drumming style. In 2004, he received an invitation to join the legendary Indonesian band God Bless as their drummer.
Since 1984, Howling's career has progressed, establishing him as one of Indonesia's leading drummers. His musical interests often lean towards traditional music, and he has amassed a collection of traditional Indonesian instruments, such as Balinese drums, Sundanese drums, tambourines, and Tifa. He not only collects but also studies these instruments to enhance his understanding of their unique properties, aiming to elevate Indonesian music on the global stage. Additionally, he developed a drum rhythm known as "Rhythm Rice," inspired by the cultural practices surrounding rice farming in Indonesia.
Howling Ramadaan is recognized as the only drummer in Indonesia sponsored by Zildjian, a leading cymbal manufacturer in the United States, since 1992. He is also supported by Yamaha, a prominent drum company in Japan, and is an artist for BMG Music, REMO USA, and AKG Austria.
