Basement Rhumba
Straight from the basement comes the first of many albums from percussionists Bryan Fazio and PJ Roduta. Basement Rhumba merges traditional conga drumming with not-so-traditional sounds including trash cans, PVC pipe and even dollar store bells. The addition of Native American flutes and haunting vocalizations makes for a unique musical experience.
A Rumba is a family of percussive rhythms, songs and dances that originated in Cuba as a combination of the musical traditions of Africans brought to Cuba as slaves, and Spanish colonizers. The name comes from the Cuban Spanish word rumbo which means “party” or “spree”.
The design uses vibrant bright colors and simple graphics to capture the feeling of overlaying rhythms and sounds. By focusing on the percussionist’s most important instrument – their hands – the “rhumba” feeling comes through before even listening to the music.
Bryan Fazio
Conguero, poet, group drumming facilitator, teacher and story-telling extraordinaire, Bryan Fazio has been studying and performing on hand drums for more than ten years. A percussionist of unique style and technique, drawing on many influences including extensive work with Jim Donovan (founding member of Rusted Root), master Congolese drummer Elie Kihonia and master storyteller/drummer Gregory E. Woods. Bryan currently teaches hand drumming at Community College of Beaver County, Waddells School of Music and The Art Case in Bridgewater, PA and facilitates group drumming events in the greater Pittsburgh area (including Arts In The Valley). Bryan also performs with Jim Donovan’s Drum the Ecstatic International, with 8-String guitarist Bill Burke and solo.
PJ Roduta
PJ is a born improviser with a B.A. in music from Bennington College where he studied polyrhythm, polymeter and cardio-rhythmic concepts with Milford Graves. PJ also studied Ghanaian music and dance at University of Ghana and studied hand drumming for dance with Jake Meginsky, Susan Sgorbati, and Charles Hall. He currently accompanies dance classes at Point Park University’s Conservatory of Performing Arts, Dance Conservatory of Pittsburgh, and Breathe Yoga Studio. PJ is the resident percussionist and sound designer for The Pillow Project dance company. PJ also performs with Jim Donovan’s Drum The Ecstatic International and Bill Burke.