JEFF BUSCH
is an exuberant drummer/percussionist, vocalist, and composer whose passion for soulful music of various traditions has led him to perform with jazz, blues and gospel groups -- as well as ensembles specializing in calypso, samba and Cuban jazz -- in England, Spain, Ireland, Brazil and the United States. In addition, Jeff is committed to exploring the vital connection between musicians and dancers. To this end, he has drummed in England for the Northern Contemporary Dance School, the Phoenix Dance Company, the Northern Ballet and with steel drum master Dudley Nesbitt in his calypso group Panjumby.

Recently, Jeff has studied with Profissao Samba, Grupo Comanche, and the internationally acclaimed samba-reggae ensemble, Olodum. Performing with Olodum at the 1997 Carnival in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil was one of the high points of his experience. Musical styles gleaned from this visit include samba, samba-reggae, chorinho, pagode and capoeira.

Since his arrival in Seattle, Jeff has been performing regularly with the Jovino Santos Neto Quinteto, and the Urban Rhythms Gospel Choir and has been teaching percussion to people of all ages. He is also musical director of the percussion ensemble Sambaleiro and looks forward to bringing the vitality of music and dance to audiences of all ages. In his larger vision, Jeff continues to work on projects promoting intercultural collaboration between musicians of different cultural traditions.