Rebel Tumbao Quartet for Fundraiser
The Rebel Tumbao band is ultimately a 10 piece group including, Bass, Piano, 3 Percussionists, 2 Trombones, 2 Backup Singers, 1 Lead Singer. HOWEVER, back in March 2010, we assembled a quartet for our intimate FUNDRAISING EVENT on March 13th, 2010 in Oakland, CA.
THE BAND for the fundraiser was:
Matt Jenson: A talented keyboardist, arranger and song writer whose poetic insights into the local and global socio-economic-political morass are consciously scathing at times, yet always spring from a place of deep caring for the human race. A gifted teacher, Matt is currently Assistant Professor of Piano at Berklee College of Music (Boston) and teaches his smash hit class, “The Music and Life of Bob Marley.”
José Claussell: Co-leader of the Rebel Tumbao project, José is a visionary artist who speaks profound truths on his primary instrument, the timbales. He has been recording and touring across the globe with the Latin piano icon Eddie Palmieri for nearly 20 years delivering inspired performances with a deep committment to raising consciousness through the drum. José’s schedule with Eddie Palmieri.
Toussaint Yeshua: Singer, and we mean SINGER! He is certainly one of the most soulful singer’s of our time who can deliver the message like no other, and is now working diligently on his original project after having spent a couple of years touring and recording with Soulive. You can catch him with his back up bands Buru Style or the Trama Unit all over the region and parts of the world. A social activist, Toussaint continuously works to position himself as a conduit of culture within the community. His mantra? “I want people to know that they are royalty.” Click on his image and see BurruStyle website.
Geoff Brennan is one of San Francisco Bay area’s most in demand upright and electric bassists. He is equally comfortable in the jazz setting as his is just laying down crazy phat reggae and funk lines. He’s worked with many many top artists and notably with the amazing pianist Omar Sosa. Matt met Geoff at the amazing Jazz Camp West summer camp where they have been faculty members on a number of sessions. Click on his image for more info.
OUR VIDEOGRAPHER
Also joining us will be our videographer Ron Wyman from. Ron is a long time friend of Matt’s from back in the days when they both lived in Portsmouth, NH. Ron is an incredibly gifted videographer who’s spent his life in pursuit of compelling music documentary film making on an international level. He shot and edited our “Rebel Tumbao is….” video (to the right). We are very excited to have him with us for the event! Click on his image to see the zerogravity films website.
Musicians on the Rebel Tumbao 3 Song Demo
Our only recording to date is a three song demo that hasn’t been officially released. You can hear brief excerpts on the music player to the right. You will hear Matt’s arrangements of Marley’s REBEL MUSIC, STIR IT UP, IS THIS LOVE.
JOSE CLAUSSELL – percussion
MATT JENSON – piano, programming, arranging
TOUSSAINT YESHUA – lead vocals
Alex Alvear – vocals and soneo on Is This Love
Manolo Mairena – vocals and soneo on Stir It Up
Donna McElroy – backing vocals
Darcel Wilson – backing vocals
Gwen Leathers – backing vocals
Angel Subero – trombone
Squantch – trombone
Carlos Henriquez – bass
Orlando Vega – bongo
