ABOUT & HISTORY

Tómi started playing Afro-Calypso beat in Hanoi, Vietnam as soon as he arrived in 2010. His rhythmic, melodious & energetic band had since been known for jam-packed live shows! You can expect a world music genre of Calypso, Highlife, Afrobeat, Afrofunk, Reggae, Afrojazz, Bembé “Afro-Cuban, Soukous & Makossa.

Tómi persisted in playing Afrocalypso music through the first decade in Hanoi city, a small but emerging hub for expatriate that are starting something new both in businesses, professional or social and art domains. As Hanoi was developing, it was equally providing that space for art or musical expansion and growth. He saw the perseverance of culture and the openness to receive something new.

The music developed as he invited interested musicians and singers, a 5-piece rag-tag playing bars in the Old Quarter of Hanoi to an 8-piece ensemble playing all over Vietnam, a shout out to all the people who have been experienced and enjoyed the tune over the years.

MUSICAL INFLUENCE & STAGE PERFORMANCE BACKGROUND

Growing up, Tómi was almost totally denied access to Afro music by Fela Anikulapo Kuti, although he had a few groves and lyrical content sneaked into his hearing which raised his curiosity and passion for the Afrobeat. He was raised with an Afro-gospel praise musical exposure. Although Afro-juju, a variation of the Afrobeat was played all around him when he was juvenile, and he had developed much interest in the high energy Afro-juju music of Sir Shina Peters.

In West-Africa, he had experience playing at gigs and during special events, especially where live music, the West-African highlife beat was needed. He was then introduced to afro-calypso, makossa and a percussively rich Afro-Cuban Bembe music, a 6-8 time signature beat mostly played on conga, cowbell, bongos and maracas. He was a vocalist and a keyboardist/synth player.

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