Ruben van Rompaey (1978, Bergen op Zoom, Holland) became well known for his cd trilogy "Eastern Expressions" within the international musical scenes of World music and Bellydance.

As a solo artist and workshop leader he performed at a variety of national and international Jazz and Bellydance festivals, which brought him to countries like USA and Japan.

Ruben is winner of several awards, such as the Tama Drummer's Award (1999), Erasmus Jazz Award (2001) and a special Scholarship (2001). After having obtained his master degree cum laudeat at the conservatory, Ruben taught there for several years, before finally founding his own Eastern Expressions International School of Drums & Percussion in Rotterdam, with the notorious slogan: "Be Yourself" as the school's vision.

Besides his active career as a solo artist Ruben currently has six albums released. He also is the author of three methods for darbuka, which has been translated into various languages. Recently Ruben's own signature cymbals have been released by Turkish Cymbals Istanbul.

You can watch Ruben perform the piece "Moon Dance" in this recently produced educational video on darbuka.

Djembolale - Fills and Drills

Djembolale - Grooves and Moves

Eastern Expressions

Eastern Expressions 2 - Gomera

Eastern Expressions 3 - Asahi

Eastern Expressions 5 - Amazonia

Jade (best of more than 10 years of Eastern Expressions)

Eastern Expressions 4 - Mirage

Mozaic