How it all began

My journey with drums began in Portugal in 1997, with a project called Toca Rufar. I joined almost by accident, without knowing that it would change the tempo of my life entirely. Everything accelerated - stronger, louder, more focused. I learned to play. I became part of the collective. What started as curiosity quickly turned into passion, and then into a way of life.

A few years in, my path became clear. I began conducting the Toca Rufar Orchestra. I composed, taught, and choreographed. In front of hundreds of drummers, I felt fully alive - aligned with a purpose I had not known before. Alongside the project’s founder and director, Rui Junior, my mentor and an adoptive father, we helped reignite and empower Portugal’s drum tradition, sharing a vision for what it could become.

After thirteen years, that vision evolved. So did I. And naturally, our paths diverged.

The birth of O7

Not long after leaving Toca Rufar, the O7 Drum Project was born. There was no job, no money, no instruments, and no place to rehearse - yet somehow, O7 found its way into existence. The path was shaped by ups and downs, resilience, and moments of clarity. It was carried by bright ideas, by friends, and by a small group of passionate people who believed when belief was all there was.

O7 continues to grow. So do I. Still working to make it as expansive as I imagine, still dreaming, still moving forward - one step at a time.

The early years

These images capture the early years of the O7 Drum Project in Portugal, when it was still known as Orquestra 7. They document the first drum designs and the first people who joined the journey. You can also see the beginnings of the group’s visual identity taking shape - from simple uniforms to the raw energy that defined those early performances. Everything was built with what was available at the time, shaped by collaboration, experimentation, and a shared commitment to growing together, step by step.

A new chapter

When I moved to the UK, I tried to keep the project alive in Portugal, but distance made it challenging. Eventually, the group dissolved - but many of my former students went on to join other projects, spreading their skills and raising the level wherever they went. I am immensely proud of every one of them.

In Luton, the journey began again with support from the University of Bedfordshire. Under the name Loud & Proud, a new group of passionate, dedicated people came together. With them, the project evolved once again, and it officially became the O7 Drum Project - a living story of collaboration, resilience, and shared rhythm.

Looking forward

Today, the O7 Drum Project stands at the threshold of a new era. With classes restarting in 2026, the focus is on building a new generation of players and creating powerful new performances. Now based in Bedford, the project continues to evolve—refining its identity, exploring new possibilities, and remaining committed to offering students the best experience possible. It is an ongoing journey, shaped by learning, creativity, and the shared rhythm that brings everyone together.