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DIAJ (Drummers in a Jam) SoundMoments
Duo
Robert first learned hand drumming in the '50s on the streets of New York City and in the '90s began to more formally work with talented professional musicians. He has been taught and inspired by Ma Boukaka, Babatunde Olatunji, Abdoulaye Diakite, Arthur Hull and other San Francisco Bay Area teachers and performers. He has been creating improvisational music for more than four decades and founded DIAJ (Drummers in a Jam) for Bay Area drum circles and dancers in the early '90s. In 1997 he created and performed in "Sweet California," an African-inspired performance of original and traditional music and dance, including his original ballet, "California Suite" at Burgess Theater in Menlo Park, California. Robert was the founding and artistic director of DIAJ performing group and producer of the DIAJ album, Pangaea: Old World, New Visions (on CD). He created, performed, and recorded with DIAJ. He also creates original melodies for the Xylimba, keesansi (kalimba), and tongue drum. In 2001 he wrote, directed and produced The World Is You, an original African-inspired music and dance performance to celebrate world human rights. In 2004 Robert released his movie, Ocean's Edge - Spirit's Journey (on DVD) celebrating the lyrical, spiritual, sensuous, and non-violent sides of nature on the Northern California Coast with evocative African-inspired music: six original instrumental ballads by Robert (on xylimba and standing drum) and Laura Worth (on alto recorder). After moving to Vashon Island, Robert and Laura collaborated with local artists to create a celebration of positive dance and music. This evening of community included an immersive light and sound installation by Robert, his film and music, dance, performance art, Vashon Island's Circle of Sound and music by Laura Worth and him as SoundMoments Duo. Robert's next movie, Here and Now: Vashon-Maury Island (on DVD) is an alternative, romantic view of nature in an artistic, narrative-free, and nonviolent style. Evocative natural waterscapes and landscapes on Quartermaster Harbor are set to a medley from the Discovery Suite, Robert's improvisational piano works. Filmed throughout 2005, the film's enchanted naturalism touches each season on Vashon-Maury Island in Washington. Robert currently
performs with SoundMoments
Duo in the Puget Sound area. He is also recording for his
next film in the SeaDrift
Media Productions' film series,
Ebb and Flow (Xylimba, keesansi
(kalimba), piano, hand drum, and other percussion and instrumental music).
Laura played the recorder in the '70s for personal enjoyment and to entertain her friends. In the early '90s she learned the basics of African-inspired hand drumming from San Francisco Bay Area teachers. She cofounded DIAJ (Drummers in a Jam) with Robert Bornn to foster development of a local music community based on African-inspired music. In 1998 she began improvising original melodies on the alto recorder for their DIAJ performing ensemble. Laura enjoys crafting opportunities to make music and performance opportunities with others who share her delight in the artistic process. She performed in and co-produced the "Sweet California" ballet in 1997 and The World Is You African-inspired music and fusion dance event in 2001 to celebrate world human rights. She performed and recorded with DIAJ, including her featured performance on the DIAJ album, Pangaea: Old World New Visions (on CD). For more than a decade Laura was a student of voice and stage performance as a principal actor in the San Francisco Bay Area's acting and improv ensemble group, Constance Wise Productions. After moving to Vashon Island, Laura and Robert collaborated with local artists to create a celebration of positive dance and music. This evening of community included an immersive light and sound installation by Robert, his film and music, dance, performance art, Vashon Island's Circle of Sound and music by Robert and her as SoundMoments Duo. Laura currently performs
with SoundMoments
Duo in the Puget Sound area. She is also recording for Robert's
next film in the SeaDrift
Media Productions' film series,
Ebb and Flow
(alto recorder,
ngoma, and vocals).
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