Ramón Galarza

Ramón Galarza (Lisbon, November 1, 1957) is a renowned Portuguese musician, producer, and entrepreneur. He is the son of Shegundo Galarza, a Basque maestro who settled in Portugal.

He began his musical training at the age of seven, studying both piano and drums, eventually choosing the drums as his primary instrument.

Throughout his career, he has collaborated as a musician and producer with some of the most prominent figures in Portuguese music, entertainment, and performing arts. Notable artists and projects he has worked with include: Adelaide Ferreira, Afonsinhos do Condado, António Pinto Basto, Avô Cantigas, Banda do Casaco, Beto, Blind Zero, Carlos Paião, Contra Informação, Dino Meira, Doce, Dulce Pontes, Gato Fedorento, José Cid, Marco Paulo, Maria Rueff, Nicolau Breyner, Pedro Miguéis, Rão Kyao, Rita Guerra, Rui Veloso, and Xutos & Pontapés, among many others.

In recent years, he has focused primarily on composition, orchestration, and music production, while also directing Tchatchatcha, a company specializing in music production and recording studios. He continues to perform live with his group, the Ramón Galarza’s Band.

Ramón Galarza’s professional music career began in 1976 when he was invited by Zeca Afonso to perform as a percussionist on the album Com as Minhas Tamanquinhas. The following year, he joined the band Tempo, alongside Zé Nabo, and in 1978 he collaborated as drummer and composer on the iconic album 10.000 Anos Depois Entre Vénus e Marte, by José Cid.

In 1980, he became a founding member of Rui Veloso’s band, performing as drummer on the albums Ar de Rock, Um Café e um Bagaço, Fora de Moda, and Rui Veloso, as well as participating in live concerts across the country.

Starting in 1983, Ramón Galarza shifted his focus toward music production. As a producer, arranger, and musician, he was involved in numerous recording projects across a wide range of genres, including light music, popular music, pop-rock, rock, and jazz. His work led him to represent Portugal at various international events and festivals in countries such as Brazil, Bulgaria, Spain, the United States, Malta, Paraguay, and Turkey.

In parallel, he performed in shows with Luís Madureira and Anamar, notably at the iconic Lisbon venue Frágil, and played drums on the album Banda do Casaco com Ti Chitas. In 1986, he founded the music production company Tchatchatcha, which includes its own professional recording studios. That same year, he produced the album Entre um Coco e um Adeus by Adelaide Ferreira and collaborated on As Noites Íntimas de um Hotel com Estrelas by Tozé Brito.

In 1988, he began a collaboration with Xutos & Pontapés, co-producing with Paulo Junqueiro the albums 88, Xutos ao Vivo (a triple live album), and Gritos Mudos, as well as the singles Submissão and Inimigos. Beyond production, he also joined the band as a keyboardist and percussionist, remaining with the group until the end of 1991.

His solo career began in 2009 with the release of Herr G – 51.11, a solidarity project in which 50% of the proceeds were donated to the charitable organization Ajuda de Berço. In 2018, he released his second solo album, Galarza, with the Ramón Galarza’s Band, a group composed of Bernardo Fesch, António Mão de Ferro, Diogo Santos, and Moisés Fernandes. In 2021, the band released its second album, Qu’est-ce qui se passe?

During the 2020 lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Ramón Galarza developed the project Symetrix – Volume 1, composed of seven musical pieces. The initiative continued in 2023 with the release of Symetrix Universe, an album recorded with the Portuguese Philharmonic Orchestra. In parallel, in 2022, he composed the soundtrack and served as musical director for the show Circo, presented at the Coliseu do Porto.

In 1981, Ramón Galarza took on the role of musical director and drummer for the television show O Tal Canal, by Herman José, later continuing this collaboration in the programs Hermanias and Crime na Pensão Estrelinha.

Over the course of his career, he was also closely associated with RTP, serving as music producer for several editions of the Eurovision Song Contest, namely in The Hague (1980), Bucharest (2006), Moscow (2009), Düsseldorf (2011), Baku (2012), Copenhagen (2014), and Vienna (2015). He was also the producer and musical director of the television series Rua Sésamo (Sesame Street), as well as of the projects Disney Classics and One Story a Day (Walt Disney), and was the composer of the official anthem of RTP Internacional.

In 1992, he collaborated as a consultant and musical director on the RTP International program Em Português nos Entendemos, hosted by Carlos Pinto Coelho. He also produced the soundtrack for the television series Claxon, released under the A&R label — with the “R” standing for Ramón.

In 2002, he served as music director for the show Bravo Bravíssimo, and also directed the dubbing of various animated series broadcast by RTP.

At SIC, he began producing the children’s series Jardim da Celeste in 1994. In 1996, he joined the permanent jury panel of the talent shows Chuva de Estrelas and Ídolos. From 2000 onward, he worked as musical director for the channel’s Christmas programs, and in 2003, took charge of the music production for Academia de Famosos, broadcast by TVI.

His contributions to television music include the composition of numerous radio and TV theme songs, as well as soundtracks for popular soap operas such as O Último Beijo, A Jóia de África, Saber Amar, Amanhecer, Coração Malandro, Morangos com Açúcar, and Queridas Feras.

In 2006, he composed the opening theme for the satirical show Diz que é uma Espécie de Magazine, by Gato Fedorento, and in the following year, he was invited to produce the song As Minhas Guitarras, performed by Cuca Roseta, for the RTP Festival da Canção.

In 1990, Ramón Galarza adapted and directed the musical comedy Os Bancários Também Têm Alma, starring Raul Solnado. In 1996, he composed the soundtrack for the film Tempestade da Terra, by Fernando d’Almeida e Silva, and was a jury member on the SIC talent show Ídolos. In 1998, he renewed his collaboration with Xutos & Pontapés, co-composing with the band the soundtrack for Joaquim Leitão’s film Tentação.

Recognition

As a music producer, Ramón Galarza has been awarded 18 platinum records, 30 gold records, and 36 silver records, a testament to his significant contribution and success in the Portuguese music industry.

He has also received orchestration awards at both the RTP Festival da Canção and the Nova Gente Festival, recognizing his excellence as an arranger and musical director.