Roël Calister discovered his passion for music early in life. Growing up in Curaçao, he crafted his first drum set from old buckets and cans, spending countless hours in the backyard playing and singing along to the island's most popular hits.His innate musicality and enthusiasm were evident from the start.
At eighteen, Roël moved to the Netherlands to study Finance & Accounting at the Hanze University of Applied Sciences in Groningen. After earning his bachelor's degree, he chose to follow his true calling: music. He pursued studies in Jazz Drums and later Latin Percussion at the Rotterdam Conservatory.
During his time at the conservatory, Roël immersed himself not only in jazz and Latin music but also deeply explored the rich musical traditions of Curaçao and its traditional instruments. He developed a personal approach that allowed him to internalize and integrate these traditions into his musical work. The influence of Curaçaoan music is clearly audible in his productions and is prominently featured in his own compositions for his band KUENTA and in the family performances of drumdrumdrum.
In 2005, Roël founded drumdrumdrum, initially as a drum school. From 2008 onward, it also evolved into a production house for interactive family performances. Shows like KOLÓ and TADADAAA!!! have since become integral parts of the Dutch cultural landscape.
KUENTA (formerly Kuenta i Tambu) also originated from drumdrumdrum. What began as an interactive family performance quickly grew into a highly sought-after festival band that gained international acclaim. With performances at Glastonbury, SXSW, and Mysteryland, KUENTA has established itself globally as a leading live act.Discogs
In addition to his work with KUENTA and drumdrumdrum, Roël has been active for over ten years as a guest percussionist with artists such as Chef’Special, Izaline Calister, and the Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw.
In 2024, he founded the Roël Calister Ensemble. With this ensemble, he will present the theater program The Work of Songs in 2025, focusing on the comforting and unifying power of music in challenging times.