bio
Nelson Sobral, acknowledged for his rich musical vocabulary, versatility, creativity, and dynamic musical style, holds a prominent position as one of the finest Portuguese drummers of all time, as acclaimed by The Blitz magazine. His influence on the Portuguese music scene is profound, evident through his impactful presence in drum clinics, tours, and studio recordings.
As a composer, Nelson seamlessly integrates jazz and drum & bass, showcasing his original compositions through the Urban Jazz Band, a musical project that exemplifies his distinctive artistic vision.
A native Portuguese speaker, Nelson is fluent in Portuguese, French, and English. Originating from Lisbon and nurtured in a musically inclined family, he commenced his drumming journey at the tender age of 6. Guided by Roberto Soares in Lisbon, he furthered his musical education at École de Jazz et Musique Actuelle in Lausanne, culminating in graduation from the M.I.- Percussion Institute of Technology in Los Angeles.
Nelson’s illustrious career boasts significant milestones, including drumming alongside music legend Johnnie Johnson during his national tour. Recognized in esteemed publications such as Mike Dolbear Magazine, Modern Drummer Brazil, Promusica, and Blitz Magazine, he has affiliations with renowned music distributors and brands, representing Remo, Aquarian, Attack Drumheads, DW, Pacific, Mapex Drums, Meinl, Amedia Cymbals, Silverfox, and ProOrca Drumsticks.
Conducting numerous workshops both nationally and internationally, Nelson collaborated with distinguished musicians like Gregg Bissonette and Thomas Lang in select editions of Portuguese workshops. Beyond this, he showcased his talents with “house bands” on various TV shows and contributed to the Portuguese edition of “MTV Live and Loud” in Lisbon.
An accomplished author, Nelson has penned several drumming books and methods, including “Modo Linear,” “Drum Tools,” and eight volumes of the “Irregular Rhythms” publication. His leadership in the Urban Jazz Band yielded the album “Ad Here,” while his sideman contributions grace several other albums.
Presently, Nelson divides his time between the Urban Jazz Band, composing, recording, and touring. He is actively engaged in writing drum books and serves as a coach and teacher at Musicland Escola de Jazz e Música Atual de Mafra. Furthermore, he assumes the role of producer for the Ciclos de Jazz de Mafra, an event uniting national and international musicians on an annual basis.
Books and Drum Methods
Modo Linear
Drum Tools
UJB Sessions, The Wish One World
Just Rudiments
Irregular Rhythms, Vol.1
Irregular Rhythms, Vol.2
Irregular Rhythms, Vol.3
Irregular Rhythms, Vol.4
Irregular Rhythms, Vol.5
Irregular Rhythms, Vol.6
Irregular Rhythms, Vol.7
Irregular Rhythms, Vol.8
Discography as a leader
– Ad Here, Urban Jazz Band (Album 2010)
– Deep B (Single 2023)
– PopCorn (Single 2024)
– Funky Jimi (Single 2024)
– Just Log In (Single 2025)
Discography as a sideman
Soulful Injection – “First Injection” – Spirit Records
House Of Love– Independent
Jr. – Independente
Guitarristas – Tornado Records
Opium Electric Band – “Opium” – Independent
Politonia – “Lisboa” – Up Beat Records
Maria Leon – “Caminhando até Ti” – EMI-Valentim de Carvalho
Top Model Of The Year – Ellite Model Look – Soundtrack – SIC
Portugal Fashion – Soundtrack – SIC
António Mardel – “Ride On” – Strauss Evolution
Festival RTP da Canção 2000 – Soundtrack – RTP
Azul – TGT
Carlos Bruno – “Tem Dias” – Columbia/ Sony Music
Susana Félix – Anjo Selvagem – EMI/ Valentim de Carvalho
Susana Félix – “Rosa Ou Vermelho” – EMI/ Valentim de Carvalho
Groove Brothers – “PROJECT” – EMI/ Valentim de Carvalho
Groove Brothers – Independent
Boss AC – Live no Coliseu de Lisboa (Audio&Video) – Independent
Boss AC – MTV Live&Loud Lisboa (Audio&Video) – MTV
Boss AC – “Ritmo, Amôr e Palavras – Valentim de Carvalho
Melo D – “Chega de Saudade” – Dikanza/ Enchufada
Diana Lucas – “Diana” – Farol Musica
Rebelde Way – Soundtrack – Valentim De Carvalho
The New Acid Wave – Independent
Workshops National/ International
Nelson Sobral @Workshop Tour Portugal 2002
Nelson Sobral @Workshop Tour Portugal 2003
Nelson Sobral & Gregg Bissonstte @Mapex Workshop Portugal Tour 2003
Nelson Sobral @Musicland Meinl Mapex Workshop Portugal Tour 2004
Nelson Sobral & Gregg Bissonstte @Mapex Workshop Portugal Tour TOUR 2004
Nelson Sobral & Thomas Lang @Meinl Workshop Portugal Tour TOUR 2006
Nelson Sobral @Workshop Tour Portugal 2007
Nelson Sobral @Musicland Drummer Festival – 2007
Nelson Sobral and Naná Vasconcelos @Portugal a Rufar Festival Internacional de Percussão 2008
Nelson Sobral & Dom Famularo @Mapex Workshop Portugal Tour 2008
Nelson Sobral @Workshop Tour Portugal 2008
Nelson Sobral & Wolfgang Haffner @Portugal a Rufar Festival Internacional de Percussão 2009
Special Shows
Rui Veloso – Live TV “1O Of Junhe” – RTP/ RTP International
Rui Veloso – Live TV “Festival Da Baía Das Gatas” – RTP/ RTP Inter/ RTP Africa
Rui Veloso – Praça Sony Expo 98 – Lisboa
Herman Live TV Show RTP/ RTP International
Gil Do Carmo Live TV Show “DOCAS” RTP/ RTP International
Gil Do Carmo Live RADIO RDP/ RDP International
Gil Do Carmo Live RADIO TSF “Comemorações 25 de Abril”
Gil Do Carmo Live TV Show “Herman” RTP/ RTP International
Susana Félix Live RADIO RDP/ RDP i
Eurovision RTP/ RTP i/ RTP Africa
”Top Model Of The Year” Ellite Model Look – SIC
“Portugal Fashion” Ellite Model Look – SIC
Susana Félix Live TV “Herman” RTP/ RTP i
Groove Brothers Live TV Show”Cabaret da Coxa” – SIC Radical
Boss AC Live TV “Herman” SIC” – SIC
Boss AC Gamboa Festival – Live TV – TV Cape Verde/ RTP AFRICA/ RTP i
Boss AC Live TV – SIC RADICAL
Boss AC MTV Live and Loud Lisboa – MTV
Boss AC Coliseu do Porto
Boss AC Coliseu de Lisboa – DVD
Boss AC Super Bock Super Rock Festival – SIC International
Boss AC TOP + RTP/ RTP International
Boss AC Baía das Gatas Festival – Live RDP i TV Cape Verde
Boss AC Vodafone Sound Clash – SIC Radical
Cully Jazz festival – Switzerland
Festival Luso in Monteux – Switzerland
Jimi Hendrix Memorial -Lisboa/ Portugal
Festival Vinho do Porto Tour – Rio de Janeiro/ Brazil
Festival Vinho do Porto Tour – São Paulo/ Brazil
Festival Vinho do Porto Tour – Portalegre/ Brazil
Festival Vinho do Porto Tour – Curitiba/ Brazil
Cruz Vermelha Internacional – Maputo/Mozambique
Expo 98 -Lisbon
Baía Das Gatas Festival -Cabo Verde/Africa
Bombarral Jazz Festival -Portugal (1998 edition)
Bombarral Jazz Festival -Portugal (1999 edition)
Bombarral Jazz Festival -Portugal (2000 edition)
Vila Nova Da Barquinha Jazz Festival -Portugal
Ericeira Jazz Festival -Portugal
Festival da Eurovisão RTP – Lisboa/Portugal
Gala Top “Model Of The Year” – Lisboa/Portugal
Gala “Portugal Fashion” – Porto/Portugal
Vila Nova Da Barquinha Jazz Festival – Portugal
Viana Do Castelo Blues Festival -Portugal
Festival de Jazz de São Miguel – Azores/ Portugal
Domingos de Jazz – Jazz Festival -Portugal
Festival Gamboa – Capo Verde
Super Bock Super Rock Festival – Portugal
Sunrise Festival – Portugal – Open Jamiroquai
Festival Hip Hop de Setubal – Portugal
Pavilhão Atlantico – Portugal – Open 50 Cent
Festival Internacional de Jazz de São Miguel – Azores/ Portugal
MTV Live and Loud Lisboa -Portugal
MTV Europe Music Awards Lisboa – Portugal
Summer Festival – Portugal – feat. Black Eyed Peas
Super Bock Super Rock Festival – Angola
Baía das Gatas Festival – Capo Verde – RDP International
VODAFONE SOUND CLASH – SIC Radical
Festival Lusófono de Macau / China
Urban jazz Band – Fnac Tour Portugal
Urban jazz Band – Portugal Tour
Touring Artists – Nacional/ Internacional Tours
African Voices
Bob Da Range Sense
Boss AC
BopandRoll Trio
Beto Medina
Bluesiadas Blues Band
Blackout
Chris Alexander Quartet
Carlos Do Carmo
Débora Blando
Fernando Cunha
Ficções
Furia do Açucar
General D
Gil Do Carmo
Groove Brothers
Jacinta
João Melo
Johnnie Johnson
Jr.
Laurent Filipe
Mafalda Sacchetti
Maria Leon
Marta Dias
Melo D
Mario Gramaço Quintêto
Opium Electric Band
Paulo De Carvalho
Pedro Aires Magalhães
Politonia
Primitive Reason
Renato Jr.
Rita Guerra
Rui Veloso
Sam
Sam The Kid
Susana Félix
Shout
Soulful Injection
Sara Tavares
Urban Jazz Band