November 14th, 2009
Rebel Tumbao (Rebel “GROOVE”)
REBEL –‘reb-el 1a: to oppose or disobey those in authority or control when they are not acting in the best interest of mankind b: to renounce and resist, by the use of music, unenlightened mindsets and destructive systems of societal organization
TUMBAO — túm-‘Baó (Spanish) 1a: slang – to play music with extreme passion b: to groove your ass off
Before you do anything, please see our “Rebel Tumbao is…..” video to the right!! Also, the only recording we have to date is a 3 song demo featuring arrangements of Marley’s STIR IT UP, IS THIS LOVE and REBEL MUSIC. It hasn’t been released yet, so all that’s posted on this site are short excerpts. You can hear them on the music player to the right, below the video.
Rebel Tumbao (Rebel “GROOVE”) is the soulful merging of the earth shattering rhythms of Afro-Cuban soul and the conscious-raising mission of Reggae. At the center of this creative endeavor is its brain-soul-child, pianist/arranger Matt Jenson and José Clausell, world-renowned timbalero with Maestro Eddie Palmieri for the past 18 years. Matt and José met at an Eddie Palmieri summer camp workshop in Vermont (USA) 8 years ago and the two visionary musicians quickly realized a mutual calling to play deep, soul nourishing music with a genuine concern for the well-being of the planet and the people who live on it. The musical brotherhood was so compelling that they formed a partnership to bring forward this supercharged music and 10-piece band that merges Roots Reggae and Roots Afro-Latin vibrations with original compositions (See some of Matt’s lyrics for these originals to the right, below.) and wicked arrangements of Bob Marley’s music, all with a critical social message for our times. The sound of the group is squarely based in the sonic depths of the 1960-70’s soul, reggae and Afro-Cuban eruption yet arrives in the early 21st century creatively merging these styles with a contemporary depth of understanding and subtle use of electronic textures. (Listen to brief excerpts of Matt’s arrangements of three Marley tunes via the music player to the right.)
Matt (who is an assistant professor of piano at Berklee College of Music in Boston) and José are committed to presenting this music on the absolute highest artistic level and aim for international success via touring, recording and presenting educational programs.
The next step in developing the project is to obtain funding to complete a full recording. To this end Matt and José are holding a special fundraising event on March 13, 2010 in the San Francisco Bay area featuring an ‘unplugged’ version of the group.
In the mean time, please return to this site as we will be updating it on a regular, bi-weekly basis with blog and video blog entries tracking our development.
ALSO, if you wish to help support us RIGHT NOW, you can join our email list (above, right) and also consider that in this day of internet connectedness many organizations from indy microfunding companies, to booking agents and artist managers rely on energy generated through social networking sites such as Facebook to help determine their interest in working with a new musical project. In light of this we would GREATLY appreciate your becoming a fan on our Facebook Rebel Tumbao page.
February 12th, 2010
Towards the Rebel Tumbao philosophy
We feel that the human race has largely given over its fate to an economic system, “with its materialistic premise and insulting assumptions about human nature, [that] can’t satisfy our higher selves’ yearning for transcendental meaning.” We feel that markets alone have never and never will be able to create livable societies and that for a true Democracy to flourish the power of money must be removed from governance. Our one rule economic system, that in which wealth is returned to the (tiny few who are) wealthy, works tirelessly to create an unfathomable cycle of production and consumption that amounts to a subtle (or not so subtle!) form of slavery, wreaks havoc on a healthy sense of self, undermines our sense of security and destroys the environment. On all levels; financially, emotionally and spiritually, we say that this path is UNSUSTAINABLE.
(- the quote and general essence of the above paragraph come from Francis Moore Lappe’s amazing book, “Getting a Grip: clarity, creativity and courage in a world gone mad”)
Rebel Tumbao is expressing the cry of the positive side of human nature against the greed and fear of the few that determine so much of our current reality. Through our music, to put it unemotionally, we are provoking a paradigm change that seeks non-market based and sustainable solutions. But really, we want you to groove and dance with us so as to ignite a higher sense of purpose!
To many, including us, this transition of consciousness is a matter of human survival.
So, we’re angry, angry at the recent insulting supreme court decision regarding campaign finance, we’re angry that our political leaders speak of helping the middle class but rarely say a thing about the poverty stricken classes. We’re angry that many of the world’s leaders do not have the courage and vision to put a halt to corporate control of nearly every aspect of life, we’re angry at the ridiculously unfair distribution of wealth in the world……this list goes on and on.
HOWEVER, WE ARE NOT STUCK IN ANGER and find our deepest inspiration in the faith that the POSITIVE side of humanity, found in a beautiful sunset, a purely loving gaze between two people, a poetically crafted musical phrase, will prevail.
We take tremendous inspiration from Bob Marley’s life and music which expresses some of the highest truths known to man kind. His music speaks volumes about, healing, truth, resistance and harnesses the transformational power that only music and art can. His music delivers a one two punch against oppressive systems of societal organization and unhelpful human mindsets.
Another inspiration comes from the late Howard Zinn (so sad to have to say farewell to him!!). He spoke and wrote volumes about a vision in which “national boundaries are erased, when the natural riches of the world are used for everyone, when the false promises from the rich and powerful about ’spreading Liberty’ can be fulfilled, not by them, but by the concerned effort of us all, as the truth comes out, and our numbers grow.” Mr. Zinn continually pointed to the fact that change has mostly come from the bottom up and not from the top down. It is well-known that throughout history, at times of deep crisis, it is the creative people amongst us, the musicians, poets, painters, playwrites, inspired educators and philosophers who often light a path towards a better way of living….from the bottom up.
We know there is a BETTER WAY. And you?
With a strength begotten by humility, awareness and many years of musical experience, Rebel Tumbao is joining the ranks of the visionary artists, both past and present, who continue to lead us to a more enlightened understanding and to help ignite the action needed to resist human greed and fear.
All of our work in developing Rebel Tumbao is aimed at creating transcendent moments on stage, in recordings and in our educational programs that ignite the innate beauty, humility and interconnectedness that we all carry.
In our minds and hearts, we feel this to be revolutionary…..REBEL Tumbao. In our instruments we cut deep grooves of dancing ecstasy into the souls of our listeners…….Rebel TUMBAO (”groove”).
We also have a hell of a lot of fun doing it!
December 9th, 2009
Funding Levels for RT recording project
Thank you for considering supporting the Rebel Tumbao new recording project!
We need to raise approximately $30,000 to fund the production of our full-length recording which is the next step toward launching Rebel Tumbao on an international level. (Note: We do not have the capability to designate any contributions as tax deductible.)
Make a PayPal donation to Rebel Tumbao
( ) $10 REBEL RT thumb drive loaded with 1 RT demo MP3
( ) $25 GROOVING REBEL Signed RT T-Shirt and thumb drive
( ) $50 REBELATED Signed “Getting a Grip 2” book*, thumb drive or signed T-shirt
( ) $75 REBEL ROUSER Signed copy of new RT CD (delivered upon completion), thumb drive, signed T-shirt
( ) $100 REBELUTIONAY Join band members for dinner tomorrow night (Sunday) or receive a lesson
from Matt or José (in person or over internet) thumb drive, signed T-shirt and book*
( ) $250 DEEP REBEL An iPod Shuffle filled with Matt and José’s favorite music
* We only have 10 copies of the book!
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN FUNDING US AT A HIGHER LEVEL.
We’re flexible! After taking a looking at these offereings, if you would like to alter them more to your interests, please ask.
( ) Option 1: José will host you at an Eddie Palmieri sound check and concert $350
( ) Option 2: A series of 4 private lessons from either Matt or José $450
Developing skills in improvisation, songwriting, arranging, theory, Afro-Cuban drumming, jazz, rock, reggae, or blues style.
Lessons can take place in person or over the internet.
( ) Option 3: Access to the recording process $500
You will have access to activities related to the to the recording process: receive special blog and video blogs as the
project unfolds, attend rehearsals. 2 tickets to any 2 Rebel Tumbao shows of your choice.
( ) Option 4: Private music appreciation session for musicians or non-musicians with Matt or José $750
Matt and José have prepared special 2 hour multi-media lecture demonstrations about the music and life of Bob Marley,
music as a force for revolutionary change, Afro-Caribbean musical history and drumming presented in the venue of your choice.
(travel and accomodation expenses not included)
( ) Option 5: Matt or José will play on or write an arrangement for your recording $2000
( ) Option 6: Matt will teach his “Music and Life of Bob Marley” class at your institution $2500
This is a three day intensive workshop in which an ensemble of musicians are brought together to learn about
the meaning of Marley’s music and how to play roots reggae music in preparation for a performance at the end of the workshop.
See www.mattjenson.com for details on this fantastic class!
(travel and accomodation expenses not included)
( ) Option 7: A Rebel Tumbao quartet private concert or party $3000
(travel and accomodation expenses not included)
( ) Option 8: Become Executive producer of the recording $10,000
Access to all Rebel Tumbao activities related to the recording: receive special blog and video blogs as the project unfolds,
attend Rebel Tumbao rehearsals. Your name will appear on the CD liner as Executive Producer.
Receive 4 VIP tickets with back stage passes to any 4 Rebel Tumbao shows of your choice.
December 6th, 2009
Dragonfly Taxi
By Matt Jenson
Well, I’m looking for that Dragonfly Taxi
That Jimi rode back in ‘67
I bet she could turn on less than a dime
How about a nickel?
What do you think she took for a fare
Technicolor air?
Something about the trip back then
Really seemed to get you somewhere
2X Dragonfly Taxi – sky
Dragonfly please tell me why
Her wings are baby’s breath stained glass
And her seats will tell the truth of you
But this box you’ve been trying to think your way our of
Has poisoned the morning dew
Supersonic sound is how she gets around
Eyes crazy with bloodshot love
And the billboard on her trunk reads:
“Not for money, no way!!”
2X Dragonfly Taxi – sky
Dragonfly please tell me why
Lost on a street corner planet
You are miles from reality
Hail her, but she won’t pull over
Too long now you’ve made her cry your tears
She leaves a streak of green, purple, blue light
And last I heard
Though you might not think it’s right,
She was dancing with the cotton candy clouds
2X Dragonfly Taxi – sky
Dragonfly please tell me why
Well, it took 30 years later
I found that sad lady
Buried under a cross, a flag, a dollar bill and a gun
Somewhere inside of me and you
Hang on if you can sweet darling
Cuz that burnin’ drag you feel every day
Let me say, “Ms. Dragonfly Taxi,”
Man, she’s GOING to have her way!
December 6th, 2009
Muse
by Matt Jenson
Way, way, way
Way down
Some days I want to share a touch that knows the unfair depth of a
Healed, lonely heart
Other days I wonder why some people in this world just won’t
Play the right part
And yet another day comes when to express what I really feel I must
Scream and cry
Other days I can’t believe some people in this world will force
So many others to die
Way, way, way
Way down
I see a beautiful dancing muse and she’s as fleeting as a
Shooting star
Then I see a gun-shot, terrorist, president, CEO forcing on us a
Never ending war
How many times must we bow to the mentality of profit before
You and me
Share a touch of a muse, a scream and cry, shooting star so that some day we will
All see
