Album Notes

Bobby Bovenzi has been a student of West African and Middle Eastern drum and dance for 13 years. His study's include a BS in African and Afro-American Studies, and a MS In Elementary Education. Bobby has had the distinct honor to have studied extensively with several Master Drummers including Khalid Abdul N'Faly Saleem in New York, Kpani Addy in Oregon, Keio Ogawa and Mamady "Wataba" Kourouma in California. He has also studied material from and attended workshops with Mamady Keita, Famadou Konate', Mouhamad Camara, Armando Mafufo, Keith Terry, and Arthur Hull. Bobby is dedicated to preserving the traditions of drum and dance and understands the impact these have on developing community unity and self-esteem in all people.

Tommy Tumbach has studied many types of instruments and styles of music through out his lifetime, training initially with the violin in the classics, and moving on to indulge in folk, bluegrass, jazz, funk, hip-hop and finally eastern fusion. There is nothing more exciting for Thomas than to compose and collaborate with other artists, always knowing that the process, rather than the end result, is where some of the most important experiences happen.

Bobby & Thomas are some of the founding members of the Jam Camp Society, a non-profit group focused on making music accessible to rural and low-income families. Using the principals and tools of rhythm circles as a foundation, Jam Camps give youth the opportunity and experience of composing and recording their own original songs. For more information, visit www.jamcamp.org.