Roy Tabwa
Roy Tabwa’s musical journey has had many of the same twists and multicultural influences as his early upbringing. Born in Angola, and raised in Portugal, it was natural that Roy gravitated to the music of Cape Verde, deeply rooted in and influenced by both those cultures. His parents, having hailed from that island country, helped foster in him a love for traditional Cape Verdean artists such Luis Morais . He also became captivated by the music of Fogo Island, which lies some 2,300 miles across the Atlantic form Portugal. As if covering all the points on a compass, these widespread influences became the bedrock of Roy’s musical foundation.
After emigrating to the United States at age 16, Roy continued to build on that base, first from his own sense of discovery (taking to world music, punk rock and artists as diverse as Lou Reed and The Cure) and later in the true academic sense. With his fluency in Portuguese, Roy credits a trip to Brazil in 1999 for opening his earsas to how all the diverse musical influences could combine for a cultural cachupa. Hearing the genius in João Gilberto, Gilberto Gil, Caetano Veloso, Djavan and other Brazilian artists, Roy bought books by João and began to study chord progressions. Having already dedicated eight hours a day to guitar since moving to America, he picked up on the stylings quickly although it was a bit of a challenge initially. He found charts for Brazilian music online, but almost literally had to stand on his head to learn it. “I had to play them backwards because I am left handed,” he said.
The practical education soon followed as Roy tested himself and his skills by attending open mic nights in and around his Boston home. After that experience convinced him he could overcome any sense of stage fright, and continue to polish his playing, he took the big step of enrolling at the renowned New England Conservatory, embracing music theory. “Once I started going to school I saw that composition was so easy, and it was just right there in front of you,’’ he said. “I know what’s going on now. … If I get stuck, I go back to the theory. I’ve used the tools I learned.”
All of this ultimately led Roy to the doorstep of Rhode Island-based Kim Alves, a Cape Verdean music legend, multi-instrumentalist, top engineer and in-demand producer, who helped launch the careers of countrymen, and musicians across the world. Upon hearing Roy’s inherent talents, Kim quickly agreed to produce his ambitious debut album, “The Tabwa People.” Released in 2020, with the help of ORKKA International may seem like the culmination of a journey, but given all that Roy Tabwa has picked up a long the way, it’s only the beginning. In fact, he’s already in the process of developing material for a second release. The journey continues — and we can all enjoy the ride.
Releases
The Tabwa People
Upcoming Shows
Roy Tabwa
Roy Tabwa’s musical journey has had many of the same twists and multicultural influences as his early upbringing. Born in Angola, and raised in Portugal, it was natural that Roy gravitated to the music of Cape Verde, deeply rooted in and influenced by both those cultures. His parents, having hailed from that island country, helped foster in him a love for traditional Cape Verdean artists such Luis Morais . He also became captivated by the music of Fogo Island, which lies some 2,300 miles across the Atlantic form Portugal. As if covering all the points on a compass, these widespread influences became the bedrock of Roy’s musical foundation.
After emigrating to the United States at age 16, Roy continued to build on that base, first from his own sense of discovery (taking to world music, punk rock and artists as diverse as Lou Reed and The Cure) and later in the true academic sense. With his fluency in Portuguese, Roy credits a trip to Brazil in 1999 for opening his earsas to how all the diverse musical influences could combine for a cultural cachupa. Hearing the genius in João Gilberto, Gilberto Gil, Caetano Veloso, Djavan and other Brazilian artists, Roy bought books by João and began to study chord progressions. Having already dedicated eight hours a day to guitar since moving to America, he picked up on the stylings quickly although it was a bit of a challenge initially. He found charts for Brazilian music online, but almost literally had to stand on his head to learn it. “I had to play them backwards because I am left handed,” he said.
The practical education soon followed as Roy tested himself and his skills by attending open mic nights in and around his Boston home. After that experience convinced him he could overcome any sense of stage fright, and continue to polish his playing, he took the big step of enrolling at the renowned New England Conservatory, embracing music theory. “Once I started going to school I saw that composition was so easy, and it was just right there in front of you,’’ he said. “I know what’s going on now. … If I get stuck, I go back to the theory. I’ve used the tools I learned.”
All of this ultimately led Roy to the doorstep of Rhode Island-based Kim Alves, a Cape Verdean music legend, multi-instrumentalist, top engineer and in-demand producer, who helped launch the careers of countrymen, and musicians across the world. Upon hearing Roy’s inherent talents, Kim quickly agreed to produce his ambitious debut album, “The Tabwa People.” Released in 2020, with the help of ORKKA International may seem like the culmination of a journey, but given all that Roy Tabwa has picked up a long the way, it’s only the beginning. In fact, he’s already in the process of developing material for a second release. The journey continues — and we can all enjoy the ride.
Releases
The Tabwa People