In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition for the people, businesses and organizations that help make our city great. The team at KelownaNow.com is passionate about this community and the people that make it amazing. We want to show our friends, neighbours, family and colleagues that we notice them and the fabulous things that they do.
What is your name?
Trevor Kim Salloum
What do you always find yourself saying?
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select and why?
My son Gabriel. I can’t think of anyone I would rather spend time with. He makes me see the world differently and is my greatest teacher.
If you were to receive any existing public award, what award would you like to win?
I am not really interested in winning any award.
If you could spend a day with any historical figure, who would you choose and why?
Jack Costanzo “Mr. Bongo.” Jack is a great story teller and dynamic drummer.
Who inspires you?
All individuals who have accomplished greatness and yet balance within their own lives.
What are three things on your bucket list?
Become fluent in Spanish, travel to Puerto Rico, and a book tour.
If you could foresee a single day of your future in its entirety, what date would you select?
I would not want to know. It would take the fun out of life.
What are you passionate about?
Drumming, jazz, Cuba, Brazil.
What has been your favourite day of your life, up to this point?
The day my son was born.
What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Publishing my first book in 1997 called “The Bongo Book” for Mel Bay Publications that eventually became a best seller.
Where is your favourite place to dine in Kelowna? What do you like about it?
The Bohemian Café. Simple wholesome meals and great atmosphere.
What is your favourite activity or event in Kelowna? Why?
Salsa dancing at the Rotary Center for the Arts- Salsa Thursdays at 8pm. Lesson with social dance to follow. For singles or couples. A great opportunity for exercise, meet new people and see old friends.
What is the name of your business/organization?
It is just in my name “Trevor Salloum”
What does your business/organization do?
I organize cultural events, write books/articles and teach drum lessons/classes. Presently, I organize the weekly Salsa Thursdays at the RCA, a Spanish Intercambio at Pulp Fiction every Friday, Jazz Nights the second Friday of each month at Munnin’s Post and a Latin/Salsa night at Soul de Cuba Café the last Saturday of the month. I am presently working on a few other music events- to be announced.
Where can people find you or your business online?
www.trevorsalloum.com
Where can people find your business on Facebook?
www.facebook.com/trevor.salloum
What is your Twitter account?
@kelownadrum
How do people connect with you on Linkedin?
Trevor Salloum
What is your mission?
To create community through culture.
If you could achieve one thing within your field, what would it be?
Teaching drum workshops while travelling to USA, Europe, and Latin America.
Where do you want your business/organization to be in five years?
Teaching drumming while travelling but continuing to keep a home base in BC. (Vancouver and Kelowna)
Who do you consider to be a forerunner within your field?
Drummers/Educators like Bobby Sanabria, Jeff Hamilton, Victor Rendon, and John Riley.
What three qualities do you feel that your business/organization exemplifies?
Honesty, integrity, quality.
What would you like to say to your employees/volunteers?
Treat people the way you would like to be treated.
How does your business/organization impact the community?
Provides high quality entertainment and music instruction.
If I could change one thing about Kelowna, it would be:
Creating more cultural events with music, dance, and theatre.
What do you think makes Kelowna great?
The scenery, the climate, and the people.
My choice for the Kelowna In Focus spotlight is:
Dr. Robert Campbell at UBCO
Some general comments I would like to share are:
I am currently completing a book for Mel Bay Publications called "The Conga and Bongo Drum in Jazz.” It is the most exciting book project I have undertaken to date which has allowed me to talk with legends in jazz across North America. I noticed over the last few years that almost every school/college and university jazz music program have conga and bongo drums, but very few music teachers know how to use them.
This book seeks to address that need as described below:
The first book ever published on how to play the conga and bongo drum in jazz. This text is an essential tool for band teachers and drummers playing Latin Percussion in jazz with special emphasis on swing. Includes chapters on history, description, tuning, position/posture, notation, strokes, rhythms, etc. Complete with photos, interviews, music transcriptions and video links. This much-needed text fills a niche in the application of the conga and bongo drum in jazz. Special features include archival photos, a rare interview with legendary jazz guitarist Kenny Burrell, companion video with Candido and Bobby Sanabria and the most comprehensive discography ever complied on the use of conga and bongo drums in jazz with over 100 listings and commentary including Candido, Ray Barretto, Armando Peraza, Willie Bobo, Luis Miranda, Patato Valdez, Willie Rodriguez, Tata Güines and many more. All authors royalties on the book will be donated to an endowment in the name of “Candido Camero."
Review quotes….
The conga and bongo, while thought of as integral parts of Latin and Cuban music, have also been significant (if often overlooked) in jazz since the late 1940s. This important book by Trevor Salloum and Bobby Sanabria gives a concise discussion of the instrument’s history in jazz, includes musical examples of the more significant rhythms, and has a valuable discography. It will be equally enjoyed by musicians, those who are new to this music, and fans who have long appreciated jazz’s Latin tinge. – Scott Yanow, jazz journalist/historian and author of 11 books including Afro-Cuban Jazz and Jazz On Record 1917-76
This is a much needed book that will help all percussionists interested in the use of the conga and the bongo in jazz with a swing feel. Bobby Sanabria's and Luis Miranda's stories and explanations are useful and interesting. The discography alone is truly impressive, a "go to" reference for everyone. – Raul Fernandez, Professor, Latino Studies, UC Irvine
Trevor Salloum's new book contains great historical information and an amazing discography which help clarify just how master percussionists have enhanced the music. – John Riley
This book fits right in with the level of quality, depth and usability that Trevor Salloum is known for in his other bongo books. The addition of Latin master Bobby Sanabria on this one adds an additional layer of expertise and historical content, making it that much easier for your bongos to be a welcome part of a jazz rhythm section. – Skip Hadden, Professor, Berklee College of Music
When I move to NY from Cuba at age 12 the first percussionist I saw on TV was Candido performing with Tony Bennett. He was and still is an inspiration to me beside that we were neighbors at the hotel Alamac 71rst and Broadway. I think the project is great and shows Candido’s unique way of playing. – Orestes Vilato
Strikingly interesting historical accounts accompany this accomplished text which highlights an area of hand rhythmic training, not usually covered in currently available percussion literature. 'The Conga and Bongo Drum in Jazz' will be a welcomed addition not only for the libraries of every school, college and university but it will also be an essential workbook for the emerging drummer/percussionist seeking to further develop their percussive jazz knowledge and touch. – Alex Pertout, Senior Lecturer, Jazz & Improvisation, University of Melbourne, Australia, Author of 'Sight Reading: The Rhythm Book'
Kudos to Trevor and Bobby! The information in this book is a much needed resource for professionals of all levels as well as educators. Well researched with history, music examples, and much tribute to the masters who pioneered this style. The discography alone will keep you busy for years. A "must have" for all percussionists. —Victor Rendón, Latin Percussion Instructor, Lehman College (Bronx, NY); Bronx Conexión Latin-Jazz Big Band
This book is an excellent resource. It provides percussionists, music students, and educators a solid foundation to develop a clear understanding of the proper role of the Conga and Bongo drum within the Jazz music genre.—Jorge Ginorio, Percussionist and Educator
This resource has it all – historical perspectives, technical information, audio suggestions and visual examples, presented in a clear, concise and logical fashion. By using this book, performers and band directors can now create "Latin/Jazz" music with confidence and authenticity. A welcome addition to the pedagogical materials. — Brian Thurgood, Percussion Section Head, MacEwan University
We encourage you to leave your comments and words of support below, and submit your own nomination by clicking HERE. You are also welcome to submit a form of your own by clicking HERE. Thank you, Kelowna!
