Yuval Gabay Drummer & Producer

Yuval Gabay was born in Jerusalem to parents of Moroccan heritage.

From a young age, he showed a passion for drumming, which led him to join the municipal marching band of Jerusalem at age 9.

He later pursued formal music education, studying jazz and world rhythms at the Rubin Academy of Music JLM.

In 1984, Gabay moved to New York City.

Soon after he co-founded the percussion trio BOSHO TRiO with Samm Bennett and Kumiko-Kimoto . joined later by Hahn Rowe on guit and electric violin .

They toured in Europe, japan and released an LP “chop socky “ on the label ‘Dossier‘ (1986).

Around this time, he also studied with the legendary bassist Jaco Pastorius, an experience that profoundly influenced his musical journey.

His early years in New York saw him becoming an integral part of the downtown music-

scene, where he engaged with wide range of musicians from noise to

polyrhythm to open ended improvisation .

*with soul coughing | tour 2024

Gabay began composing music for dance choreography and served as the musical director and composer for Kumiko Kimoto's dance company who performed in the USA and Europe.

Including residencies at jacob’s pillow PA, Rieti Italy , and at the dance-school in Arnhem ,Holland.

He collaborated with other prominent NYC choreographers in the post-modern dance world, including Wendy Perron, Yoshiko Chuma, Dennis O'Connor, david Zambrano Joe Andreas.Neta pulvermacher and Linda Sastradipradja.

yuval gabay soulcoughing drummer first drum kit

*My first drum set 1975 Jerusalem

In 1987, Gabay began working at Firehouse Studio in Brooklyn as an in-house drummer and assistant engineer to Yoram- Vazan, focusing primarily on hip-hop sessions, and learning to program beats with new sampling technology and midi.

In 1989, Gabay formed the band Zahar with Hassan Hakmoun, a master musician from the Gnawa tribe in Morocco , and Bosho's Guitarist / violinist Hahn Rowe.

In this Instant Gabay incorporated West African & Moroccan beats with Hip-Hop. The band's only recorded performance is on "Night Music"

TV show (1999).

In the early 1990s, Soul Coughing was born by M. Doughty, Yuval Gabay, Mark Degli Antoni, and Sebastian Steinberg.

The band was renowned for its unique fusion of jazz, rock, hip-hop, and drum and bass, combined with spoken word and M. Doughty’s distinctive vocals.

Soul Coughing recorded four LPs with The record label Slash /

warner bros.

and toured extensively around the world before disbanding in 2000.

yuval gabay soulcoughing drummer with Bosho

*BOSHO 1986 , East Village , NYC

yuval gabay soulcoughing drummer soulcoughing

*Soul Coughing 1994 NY

from L to R: YG , Mark Degli Antoni , Sebastian Steinberg & Mike Doughty

In the mid 1990s Gabay became involved with the drum and bass scene, forming his live D&B band UVRAY , with bassists Tony Maimone , Sebastian Steinberg and Rea Mochiach, as well as started working with leading D&B figures from the UK like Roni Size ,DJ Krust. Optical &Ed Rush-and Grooveryder. His work in this up and coming genre further solidified his reputation as a versatile and innovative drummer.

Gabay’s Collaboration with "DJ Krust" led to the recording of K’s seminal album "Coded Language"featuring poet Saul Williams on the title track and vocalist Morgan .

His collaboration with Krust persisted and he recorded drums for his album "Hidden Knowledge" (Full Cycle Records, 2006).

In 2002 he moved from Brooklyn to Bristol and became the inhouse studio drummer for the "Full Cycle" label and played live with all the label's artists such as : Kamanchi , Krust live, mc Tali ,Roni Size Reprazent.

He Contributed drums and additional drum programming on Roni Size’s album Return to V (2004) ,they worked together in the studio and live performances in Europe ,USA , Japan & Australia until 2015.

Their music is also featured in popular TV series and films, including Reacher, House, The Sopranos, The X-Files, Spawn, and Blue in the Face. In September 2024, the band reunited for a tour across the United States and more......

SOUL COUGHING - Website

Uppon moving to London he collaborated on recordings and live shows with : Asian Dub foundation , Krust & the Rules with singer Trudi Mosiamo, singer/producer Ben Westbeech (Brown's Wood Records), dance music producer Jason Miles (album in progress 2024) and Producer synthesizer wizard Dazz moss.

In 2016 he moved to Jerusalem and collaborated with local artist such as : Wasat El Tariqe (a collaboration of Israeli and Palestinian Musicians),recorded for Idan Raichel , performed internationaly with Victoria Hanna and written and Produced an album with the singers

Alon Ovnat and Nevo Savorai (album in progress 2024)......

Selected Performance and Studio Session Work:
- Suzanne Vega: Played drums on the song Tombstone (1996).
- Lauryn Hill : Studio Sessions along with Tyrone Downey of "Bob Marley & The Wailers" and Bongo Herman of "Roots Radics"(2002).
- Zack de la Rocha: Drummed as part of Roni Size's "Represent In The Mode" album (2002).
- Collaborated on song writing along with Sebastian Steinberg for Neil Finn , Beth Orton.
- Asian Dub Foundation: Recorded and Performed with the British electronic music group known for their fusion of Indian music , rap, dub, and punk rock.
- Singers Jocelyn Brown and Beverley Knights: Performed live as part of Roni Size live.
- Rahzel: Performed with the beatboxer and member of The Roots, blending his drumming with Rahzel’s vocal percussion.
- Ben Westbeech: Performed & toured in Europ and Japan in support of his album release .
- Victoria Hanna: Performed & toured in Europ , New-Zealand & Australia.