Click image for song "Carnavales"

Ecuador's generation "Y" searches for new musical talents that will bring color and energy to Quito's chilly nights. One such band, Tomback, brings the drum circle to the forefront of Ecuadorian youth culture, evoking Latin rhythms such as brasileros, candombe (Uruguayan beat), zamba, merengue, bomba and albazo. The bands repertoire extends to rap, jazz and progressive rock.

The Percussion band Tomback is made up of nine young drummers whose ages range from 14 to 23 years. One of the band members, Fredy, informs us that the groups moniker, "Tomback," comes from the name of a traditional Iranian drum which means "hand-drum." The group formed in 2000.

Tomback's stated musical goal is to continue to grow academically, as a group and as individuals, learning from each other as they discover the potential of their instruments.

The band has just completed their first musical collection entitled "Equilibrio." The album, set to be officially released in November, encompasses 12 percussion rhythms of varying themes. Already available in stores, the album has sold 500 copies in two weeks, an impressive number for the soft market of Quito.

“Carnaval" and "Nacionales" are the two first singles from the album. The songs have been getting regular play on Quito's radio stations.

Among their aspirations, the band hopes to obtain broad private and public support from Ecuadorians so as to be able continue their musical evolution. "We hope to one day be able to represent our country abroad and bring back accolades for our music.”

Members:

Fernando Pachecho (congas, bongos and minor percussion) Felipe Jácome (diembre and dijiridu) Ignacio Marchán (floor Tom, minor percussion) Andrés Granda (Floor Tom, minor percussion) Gustavo Pazmiño (Floor Tom, minor percussion)

Diego Miño (redoblante, bongos, splash, china) Daniel Mantilla (redoblante, crash, ride, hi-hat and wiro)Freddy Borja (Redoblante, crash, cencerro, rain stick and minor percussion) Paúl Egas (Redoblante, crash, china, splash, triangle, tambourine, jamblocks, cencerro and maraca)

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Updated: 11/01/04