Pablo E. Ranlett-López, raised in Vieques, Puerto Rico and later Crestview, Florida, is a freelance jazz drummer and percussionist whose main interests include performing with non-traditional and culturally rich instruments such as the West-African “shekere” and the Brazilian “pandeiro.” On top of playing them, Pablo is also an instrument maker who enjoys performing on self-made instruments.
Ranlett-López is a winner of the 2018 Mississippi PAS (Percussive Arts Society) Chapter Drum Set Competition and the 2017 Vibraphone Competition, which earned him an honorary invitation to the Italy PAS International Vibraphone Competition by Italy PAS president, Antonio Santangelo.
Pablo is a founding member of the indie jazz duo The Suitcase Kids, along with singer-songwriter Evan Stegner. In their 2019 debut album “Door’s Wide Open,” Pablo plays drums, melodica, and serves as a co-writer. He is also part of Brazilian rock cover band currently known as Corner Club, where he serves as a multi-percussionist. Influenced by Brazilian artists Milton Nascimento, Gilberto Gil, and Airto Moreira, the band recently opened for Louisiana-based band Sweet Crude.
Pablo has also performed with many prominent musicians including Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez, Andy Narell, Oscar Albrieu Roca, Javier Nandayapa, Tom “Bones” Malone of The Blues Brothers, and Bill Summers of The Headhunters.
Over the span of his career, Ranlett-López has been able to perform in many prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall and the Grand Ole Opry, and important events that include the 122nd Annual Tournament of Roses Parade and the USM 10th Annual Jazz and Blues Festival.
Pablo’s teachers include Michael Reschke, Tony Miceli, Jeff Mills, Ricky Sebastian, Bill Summers, Daniel Dufour, and Chad Wackerman. A graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, Pablo holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Studies and Composition under the guidance of Larry Panella of The Phil Collins Big Band, and world-renowned percussionist, Dr. John Wooton.
Pablo is an endorsing artist for Murat Diril cymbals, Canopus drums, and Snareweight drum accessories.