British multi percussionist, dancer and independent record producer, Guy Schalom is widely regarded as a “World Music” authority, having performed across the Middle East, throughout Europe and the USA. He has appeared on and recorded music for numerous network television programs including Fat Friends (ITV), Where The Heart Is (BBC) and GMTV to mention a few

Having graduated with a degree in Popular Music and Recording, Guy is in demand across a wide range of styles and feels equally at home performing “RIVERDANCE” at The Royal Albert Hall as he does performing orchestral percussion solos at The Barbican.

Guy is particularly sought-after in the Jewish music field having appeared with New York Klezmer revivalists Frank London, Aaron Alexander, Greg Wall and Susan Watts, as well as Berlin’s Christian Dawid and Euro/Moldovian all-stars The Klezmer Alliance. He also runs his own duo “Schalom-Bakhshayesh” – specialising in traditional Jewish music from world cultures.

Percussionist Guy Schalom plays the drum kit and an authentic poyk (Jewish marching drum and cymbal). Based in the UK, Guy graduated in Popular Music and Recording from Salford University and has taught percussion at the annual Klezfest in London as well as holding klezmer workshops at the Rhythm Sticks percussion festival at London’s South Bank Centre. He has also played with various U.S. and Canadian klezmer bands. “I don’t know of any other drummers in Europe specializing in klezmer,” says Guy, whose highly developed drum-kit style is firmly rooted in contemporary klezmer. YaD Arts (London) describe Guy as “the leading Jewish music percussionist this side of the Atlantic.”

Guy was born in Israel and first learnt Jewish music at home and at nursery. “Like many Jewish families we sang together on Friday nights and at festivals like Chanukah,” he says. “Then we moved to Manchester, and I went to a Sephardi synagogue with my grandparents and learnt lots of tunes there – although I never imagined I’d be studying them in years to come! My late grandmother also used to sing Ladino songs for us.”