Age 18, Italy
Age 18, Italy
See Alex on Saturday at 15:05 on the Main Stage Mini
Born on September 1, 2008, Alex Ranaldo is an 18-year-old drummer who has been behind the kit since the age of two. He began formal studies in 2013 and continues training today under Maestro Alessandro Napolitano and Dave Weckl.
Alex holds a Diploma in Modern Drums (8-year program) and a diploma from the London College of Music. He has furthered his training at Lab Camp Athens (2022, 2023, 2024), Umbria Jazz, and Berklee.
Alex has performed and worked alongside renowned artists including Tony Esposito, Mark Sherman, Tullio De Piscopo, Francesco De Gregori, and Andrea Braido, and appeared with the RAI 1 Prodigi Orchestra (RAI, 2021). From 2012 to 2016, he served as drummer for an Italian Music Award–winning pop band, and since 2016 he has been the drummer for the rock band K.Y.R.
Discography
Raze Our Souls — K.Y.R. (2022)
Nera Mania — K.Y.R. (2024)
Maledetto dal Niente — K.Y.R. (2024)
Irrequieto — V. Gianciotta (2025)
Alex has earned 18 first-place finishes and 1 second-place finish in national competitions, with a nomination at Drum Off Italy (2020).
On the international stage, he is the winner of the highly regarded Drum Off Global International Competition (2020/21, Canada) and has been recognized as an Apulian Ambassador in the World for the music sector. He was a finalist nominee for the Drum Off Global International, held January 14–16, 2021, in Vancouver, Canada.
Alex has also appeared as a guest at the Sofia Drum Show with Horacio Hernández, the ArtBit International Drum Show with Anika Nilles, and at C. Hessler Drums 100+150 alongside Dave Weckl and Rodney Holmes.
