Rebel Tumbao

Last Login 05/21/12

• New York, NY
• Backed 2 projects
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Connected as Matt Jenson (1186 friends)

MATT JENSON: Growing up in rural New Hampshire injected Matt with a deep spiritual connection communicated by the simplicity, beauty and truth of nature. As a child he had the opportunity to visit extended family in Boston and with that cultural exposure, he fell in love with the musical styles of the African diaspora: Jazz, Blues, Reggae & Afro-Latin Music. Later as a young man with a penchant for seeking the deeper understanding of life, he became extremely interested in the spiritual-socio-political-economic conditions of human kind, always wondering why we couldn’t do better. This, combined with his intense creative drive, provides the bedrock for nearly all of Matt’s artistic output as a talented keyboardist, composer, arranger and educator.

Back just before the turn of the century, Matt completed a masters degree in Jazz studies at the New England Conservatory of Music and then began his professional career playing keyboards in the various Boston music scenes. Quickly noticed for his groove and ability to get funky as well as his arrangement chops, Matt soon headed out on worldwide tours, most notably with the great blues guitarist Ronnie Earl. After making his mark on that scene, the maestro of New Orleans soul, singer Johnny Adams came knocking and Matt was again out on the road. The double barreled Blues and Soul Ph.D he got from those two on the bandstand and on the road (as well as the steady bread), allowed Jenson to settle back in Boston and flush out some ideas he'd been having regarding his love of Caribbean music, especially his simmering love for Bob Marley and the extensive repertoire and styles of the iconic Latin pianist and composer Eddie Palmieri. The universe came with an answer to Matt’s musical loves and almost simultaneously he had the opportunity to study piano with Mr. Palmierie and to dive deeply into the music of Bob Marley. Regarding the latter, Matt joined the piano faculty at the Berklee College of Music and created a smash hit performance studies class entitled “The Music and Life of Bob Marley.” Each semester he directs a select ensemble of talented young musicians and teaches them about the socio-policital circumstances around Bob’s life. This class has given Matt many opportunities to plumb the depths of Marley’s life and music, including numerous trips to Jamaica where he has connected with many who were in Marley’s inner circle. Most notably Matt has performed with Judy Mowatt and worked with Rita Marley taking part in the “Africa Unite” event in Ghana, West Africa in 2007.

Matt is a multi/culti/genre musician with an unbridled passion and drive to positively transform humanity for the better, just as he himself has been transformed by the music, humanity and socio-political message of his own mentors. He wishes to do the same for others through his own music and pass the message on, not just to fellow musicians but, to the people. His arrangements and original compositions (including some very powerful lyrics) for Rebel Tumbao mark just one launching point for his artistic contribution to the long line of musical rebels who have helped to break barriers and spearhead essential resistance to destructive mind sets, policies and institutions.

JOSE "Cochise" CLAUSSELL: Renowned percussionist/composer Jose 'Cochise' Claussell grew up in the 'Madhouse Of Music' that was Brooklyn NY, where listening to music of all genres was the law of the land. Imagine eleven Puerto Rican children being nurtured from conception through their teens by a Mother (Doña Claussell) who spun a mix of Beny Moré, Tito Puente, Mozart, Elvis, Motown, The Beatles, Sinatra, Eddie Palmieri, John Coltrane, James Brown, Antonio Carlos Jobim and countless others every single day! And if that wasn't enough, she exposed these eleven brothers and sisters to the music of the Gershwins, Cole Porter, Jerome Kern and all the classic show and musical motion pictures composers as well.

Jose Claussell laughingly relates, "I have to give it up to Mom, as well, for my life of drumming. Her heartbeat was my first rhythm teacher, which is quite ironic as she couldn't stand to hear me practice! She just made me get better!" In essence, Jose Claussell was born to drum. At the age of seven, he built his first drum set from empty paint cans with sheet metal for cymbals. He was primarily influenced by his older brother who played drums - in fact, in total, this family produced three musicians of note.

He was also under the spell of John Bonham, and Chepito Areas of the Santana band. Throughout his adolescence/teen years, Jose played drums in neighborhood rock bands and played congas in the parks and streets of NYC. He also studied formally both in school as well with many of the then living masters of Afro Caribbean percussion.

Jose Claussell's artistic journey and development has been like a virtual transition from dreams to reality! Many of the people he worshipped as a kid, he has now played with. In fact the past twenty two years have been spent drumming for the legendary Eddie Palmieiri.

Yet despite his long devoted tenure with Mr. Palmieri, Mr. Claussell has found the time to record, perform and share the global stage with many of the most iconic figures in music today: Tito Puente, Ray Barretto, Riche Havens, John Santos, Larry Harlow, Marvin Santiago, Little Louie Vega, Conrad Herwig, Joaquin "Joe" Claussell (Jose's brother), Donald Harrison, Tony Toni Tone, Chico Hamilton, Randy Weston and countless others.

The past eight years have been spent co-developing Rebel Tumbao. This project is very close to his personal walk in life; music that is deeply committed to humanitarian aid and the fight against social injustice. José, is one of most spiritual performers on the scene today. A master of space and groove, who speaks an understandable language on his drums.

TOUSSAINT "the Liberator" YESHUA: The son of a Baptist preacher and a devoted Gospel singer, Toussaint spent most of his youth in various mid-western churches singing. His development as an artist led him to deep explorations of old school R&B, blues, funk and reggae where his husky tenor now finds its truest expression. He has shared the spotlight with iconic figures such as the Rolling Stones, Isaac Hayes, Mavis Staples, Freddie Mcgregor, Burning Spear, the Dave Matthews Band as well as John Legend, Me’Shell Ndegeocello, Ivan Neville, Barrington Levy, and Wyclef Jean. In 2006, (the band) Soulive added him to their line up as their lead singer and he subsequently penned all of the lyrics for the acclaimed group’s album, No Place Like Soul, released on the newly revived Stax label. Recently Toussaint released an original soul-drenched, genre-defying roots CD on the I-Grade label called “Black Gold.” All it takes is one listen to his immense voice to be convinced that he truly is “the Liberator” and the Protector of Soul Music, Defender of Roots. His voice, spirit and vibe put absolute fire under the Rebel Tumbao mission!