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Aykho Akhrif

Aykho Akhrif

Raised in Holland percussionist and drummer Aykho Akhrif has played alongside the likes of Bob Dylan and the Gypsy Kings in countries ranging from Cuba to America to most of Europe. Now an Australian resident he is one of the most in demand session drummers in the country playing regularly with James Morrison. Recently he’s been joining DJ Levi 5Star, adding a percussive element to his house sets, locking in a groove that lasts all night long.

He loves to combine his talents, working with different bands, jazz Latin, African, and Flamenco, or a combination of all the above. With a DJ he may use a stand with two congas and hand percussion such as tambourine, cowbell and shakers. He has played at most venues in the Sydney bar and club scene.

Together with Cameron Douglas on drum kit, Aykho form the most formidable rhythm section in the sound system scene with Sydney’s finest, La Fiesta Sound system.

Aykho has been playing percussion for 25 years, there is no one that can rock the conga’s quite like Aykho Akhrif in Australia!

Yanya Boston

Yanya Boston

 

Drummer and percussionist Yanya Boston has been playing professionally since the age of 15.

Since then Yanya has toured numerous times both nationally and internationally though USA, UK, Japan, China, Europe, and NZ and of course Australia.

Having played with the likes of Natalie Bassingsthwaighte, Kate Ceberano, Jade Macrae, Darryl Beaton Band, Tap Togs, Human Nature, Amy Pearson, Paulini, Fruit, Emma Donovan and Nessa Morgan, and recorded on over 25 albums, Yanya can always be found holding it down for some of australia finest artists.

Mario Gordon

Mario Gordon

 

Mario ‘Brujo’ Gordon can play many musical instruments, living in Panama City he worked with many Latin percussion stars including George de Leon, resident of Grammy winning salsa legend Ruben Blades. Mario has played in many types of bands of the years including Spanish rock, Salsa and Reggae.

In 2000 Mario moved to Sydney and started working with sound systems and DJ’s. He has featured in La Fiesta Sound System and the Martini Club. Mario was featured in Roger Sanchez’s Heineken Thirsty Show” with Danny Bass and Samba Sound System.

Mario is a true wizard on percussion, always with a smile on his face, It’s always a great party when Mario is on the stage, his energy and presence is infectious.

Mario is a professional salsa dancer and always manages to pulls out a few moves behind the congas for the ladies.

Vincent Sebastian

Vincent Sebastian

As a freelance musician Vincent Sebastian spent many years touring Australia percussion.

Currently, Vincent works as a music producer who leads the band OYOBI; a live afro-electronic group comprised of three musicians and a collective of special guests. He also is the founder of Afro Experiments: a live music event where he showcases original bands, djs, and dancers that inspire him. Furthermore, Vincent is completing a PHD that that investigates the psychology of music ritual and its relevance and application for modern music and art.

Vincent has recorded on over 10 albums and is an original member of Aria Nominated band Watussi. He has toured alongside Santana and opened for Los Van Van, Earth Wind and Fire, & Sean Kutu, and regularly plays at Australia’s most renowned festivals and venues such as Bluesfest, Vivid, and The Opera House. He has composed music for documentary, film, and corporate media such as Last Man Pictures, The Small Experiment, and Coast Modelling Agency.

He has played with renowned electronic producers Ron Carroll, Love Tattoo, Rob Vission, Sandy Rivera, Chuck Love, & Richard Earnshaw, and his vocals appear on collaborative tracks with All Good Funk Alliance, Rephrase, Merenia Gillies, and Omegaman.

He has toured internationally, appearing at the Rainforest Festival (Malaysia), Bogota Festival De Teatro (Colombia), Ulsan Festival (Korea), Osaka Kokolo Festival (Japan), and Ku De Ta (Indonesia). He has also released his own club music productions on French label Vamos and London’s Prison Entertainment. In 2015 he founded the band Roots Percussion Group and produced and mixed their first self-titled Ep . In January 2017 he released his first self-titled EP Satori on Uk label Imagenes Records.

Previously, he was responsible for establishing the successful Salsa club Club Havana and the renowned live music event Tatlers Underground Latin Jams. In 2017 he initiated Afro Experiments, a monthly live music event showcasing local electronic acts and DJs. These projects are consistent with Vincent’s love of Latin culture and electronica and a desire to extend this passion onto an Australian audience.

Vincent graduated with a Bachelor of Psychology and a Bachelor of Sound and Music Design (First Class Honours). His academic career has allowed him to further investigate the intricacies of Latin American folkloric music and its application for Western music compostion. His honours research project explored Cuban Bata drumming, and culminated with an EP of original works. In 2016 he was awarded the UTS University medal for outstanding achievement for this work. In 2017 he recived a scholarship from the University of Newcastle to undertake a PHD that investigate the psychology of archaic music ritual and its application for modern music and art.

Cameron Douglas

Cameron Douglas

 

Cameron Douglas is one of the finest kit players in the Australian dance music scene.

He has the ability to make any room rock hard.

Cameron Douglas has been active on the Australian Festival circuit playing at Good Vibrations, Field Day, Homebake, Falls Festival, Playground Weekender and Goodtimes. He has had long Residencies at iconic Sydney clubs such as Home, Tank, Hugo’s, Establishment, Cargo, Bungalow 8,Fringe Bar, Hemisphere and The Loft.

Cameron has also played with acts such as La Fiesta Sound System, The Potbelleez and The Martini club.