Martin Valihora - NOSPR

“Valihora boils the magic cauldron… [He] is an extremely exciting young drummer who, evidently, has something of a rep in Europe already. I guarantee you he will have one here soon, as he is capable of extremely technical, yet sensitive and truly jazz drumming.”

— Phil DiPietro, All About Jazz

Martin Valihora is an internationally acclaimed Slovak drummer, recognized for his musical versatility, expressive sensitivity, and electrifying stage presence. Born into a musical family, he began playing piano at age 10, but soon gravitated toward the drums. At 12, he began formal drum studies with Oldrich Petráš and continued at the Conservatory of Music in Bratislava. He later graduated from the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he expanded both his technique and artistic vision.

At 16, Martin began his professional career with the Slovak pop band MIDI. Since then, he has become a sought-after studio and touring musician, performing across jazz, R&B, funk, pop, and world music. He has contributed to over 50 albums released under major labels such as BMG and Universal (PolyGram).

In 2000, he received the Slovak Music Award for Best Instrumentalist of the Year.

Martin has collaborated with a wide range of world-class artists including Ron Affif, Don Grusin, Hiromi Uehara, Anthony Jackson, Lee Ritenour, John Beasley, Reuben Rogers, Tony Grey, Mezzoforte, Greg Hopkins, Frank McComb, Voices of Colours, James Francies, Illustratosphere, Lash & Grey, Dan Brantigan, Oskar Rozsa, and many others. He has also worked with ensembles such as the Gustav Brom Big Band and the Berklee Concert Jazz Orchestra.

Currently based between New York City and Europe, Martin continues to tour, record, and develop new projects. His latest ventures include a trio with pianist Vardan Ovsepian and bassist Daniele Camarda, the international trio DALIMA with Camarda and guitarist Lionel Loueke, and Waking Vision, a long-standing collaboration with guitarist John Shannon and bandmates formed during their Berklee years.