Ray Spiegel

Ray Spiegel began his formal training in Indian classical music in 1970 at Ali Akbar College of Music in San Rafael, California, where he studied tabla under Sri Shankar Ghosh. He continued his studies in India with Sri B.S. Ramanna in New Delhi in 1971–72. From 1973 to 1980, he also received intensive training and guidance from Zakir Hussain, further strengthening his grounding in traditional tabla repertoire and technique.

Since 1975, Spiegel has been a disciple of the late maestro Alla Rakha, specializing in the Punjab gharana. This training placed him within one of the most respected lineages of North Indian tabla. Over the years, he has performed widely in both the United States and India as a soloist and accompanist, and he has conducted master classes and lecture-demonstrations at universities and music institutions across the U.S.

Alongside his classical work, Spiegel has been active in Indian fusion and cross-cultural music. His musical approach often brings together Hindustani rhythm with jazz, Latin, and Western percussion traditions. In addition to tabla, he performs on vibraphone, marimba, and other percussion instruments.

He leads the Ray Spiegel Ensemble, a group focused on blending raga-based melodies and Indian rhythmic structures with jazz elements. His collaborations and recordings have included work with artists such as Ravi Shankar, Zakir Hussain, and Mickey Hart, and participation in projects connected with the Grateful Dead circle of musicians.

Among his noted recordings is Diga (1976), created with the Diga Rhythm Band, which brought together Indian percussion and contemporary grooves. Later albums such as Sum and Kali, Dusk Monsoon, Raga Jazz, and Moksha document his continued exploration of raga-based fusion formats.

Spiegel also studied vibraphone and jazz theory with Bobby Hutcherson in San Francisco, reflecting his parallel engagement with jazz traditions. Today, he is regarded as an experienced interpreter and teacher of tabla, with a career that spans traditional performance, fusion projects, and education.