Born in 1996, Tao Ehrlich is a French drummer who grew up in an abundant musical world. Son of musician Loy Ehrlich (Touré Kunda, Youssou N’Dour, Hadouk Trio), he discovered drums at the age of 3, fascinated by Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin’s rock before diving into funk, then jazz. He refined his playing style at the City Conservatory of Paris (CCP) and forged himself a singular musical identity fed by multiple influences. A veteran of Parisian jams, Tao Ehrlich multiplies collaborations and distinguishes himself with a creative approach to his instrument.
He changed the tuning of his toms and included sounds inspired by Gnaoua rhythms, a lasting legacy of his frequent visits to the Gnaoua and World Music Festival of Essaouira. His talent has brought him to collaborate with artists such as Dhafer Youssef, Erik Truffaz, Guillaume Perret, Aziz Sahmaoui, Mehdi Nassouli, Alune Wade, Joseph Chedid, Charles Pasi, Sopico, Panam Panic. In parallel, he co-founded the group Ishkero, a fusion quintet that won the 2021 ReZZo competition of the Vienna Jazz Festival and integrated the Jazz Migration program in 2022.
Tao Ehrlich is an intuitive and explosive drummer, navigating between jazz, fusion, and world music, always on the lookout for new rhythmic textures. His groove expertise and expressive skill make him one of the most promising musicians of his generation.