Carlo Strazzante is an Italian percussionist born in Belgium. He was initially trained studying Western classical music and jazz. He quickly developed a visceral curiosity for other important classical musical traditions : Indian, Arabic and Persian.

 

The discipline and constant research, learning from major masters authentic in their traditions, exchanges and collaborations with other musicians in the cosmopolitan cultural environment of Brussels as well as artistic tours in Asia and Europe, have brought him to play different percussions with skill and inspiration. Among his instruments : the tabla in the flow of Indian tradition; the Iranian tombak; the Kurdish daf; the darbuka, bendir and riqq used in the Middle East and North Africa.

 

In particular, the sophisticated Indian rhythmic grammar which is expressed in cadenced recitation has provided him a language to translate other musical forms devoid of such advanced percussive code. More recently, in order to rediscover his plural cultural roots, he undertook the study of the popular rhythms of Southern Italy and those related to the Belgian carnival festivities characteristic of his native region.