about
DIAJ
(Drummers in a Jam)
SoundMomentstm
Duo
Robert Bornn
and Laura Worth
Robert
Bornn first learned hand drumming in the 50s on the streets of
New York City. More recently he studied with San Francisco Bay Area
teachers, including a number of Congolese and West-African master drummers.
He has been creating original percussion music for more than four decades
and founded DIAJ (Drummers in a
Jam) for Bay Area drummers and dancers in the early 90s.
In 1997 Robert wrote, directed, and
produced "Sweet California," an African-inspired performance of original
and traditional music and dance, including his original ballet, "California
Suite." In 2001 he wrote, directed and produced "The
World Is You," an original World Beat music and dance performance.
He is the founding director of DIAJ performing group and producer of the
DIAJ CD, Pangaea:
Old World New Visions. He wrote lyrics, directed, performed, and
recorded with DIAJ. He founded Big Deal Productions to record and
produce the music of DIAJ. Robert's original
single,
Djembe Djam
(free, 1.5 MB, two minutes, mp3 download), is inspired by West African
and Congolese rhythms.
Robert is featured playing xylimba
and ngoma on Ocean's Edge-Spirit's
Journey, which he also directed, filmed, and produced. He is
currently recording xylimba, keesansi (kalimba),
piano, and other instrumental music for his next film in the SeaDrift
Media Productions' film series,
Ebb and Flow, currently in post
production.
Laura
Worth 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" World Beat music and fusion dance event in 2001.
She performed and recorded with DIAJ, including her featured performance
on the DIAJ CD, Pangaea:
Old World New Visions.
For more than a decade Laura was also
a principal actor in the San Francisco Bay Area's acting and improv ensemble
group, Constance Wise Productions.
Laura is featured playing alto recorder
on Ocean's Edge-Spirit's Journey
with Robert Bornn, filmmaker and musician. She is currently recording
vocal and instrumental music for the next film in SeaDrift Media Productions'
film series, Ebb and Flow, currently in post production (alto recorder,
ngoma, vocals, actor).
***
|