Paul Harvey

paul@tocamos.com

A biography

     Paul grew up in St. Augustine, Florida and began playing congas and percussion in the fifth grade. He performed with the Hamblen Players, an elementary performance group lead by famed  Orff Teacher and writer Jim Solomon. He began playing snare drum and drum set in junior high, and continued through high school in marching, jazz, and symphonic bands. While in high school, he continued to help Jim Solomon teach music at Osceola Elementary and saw the difference that teachers can make. He came to Tallahassee and received an Associate in Arts degree from Tallahassee Community College, and attended FSU’s school of hospitality. While a student, he played percussion and drum set for a variety of local bands.
 

     He then pursued a career as a professional chef and restaurateur, opening Renaissance Coffee and Tea Company in downtown Tallahassee. While operating the restaurant, he met master drummer Philip “Olumide” Gilbert, and Yazid Johnson, and began studying the traditional rhythms and chants of West Africa, Cuba and the Caribbean. Paul has studied with other great teachers such as: Laurent Camara, Mamady Keita, and Angel Rodriguez. Along with other drummers, he started the local Afro-Cuban performance and education group Tocamos.
 

    Paul served as the assistant director of the FSU African drum and dance ensemble for three semesters, and now teaches, performs, repairs and sells drums full time. He teaches all ages, from preschool to seniors, public and private. He is currently teaching at Sable Palm Elementary, drumming for African Dance classes at FSU’s department of dance and performing with The Harding Place Band. His dream is to create a topnotch children’s performance group, and to counsel people of all ages through community drum circle facilitation and rhythm therapy.
 

    For Paul, drumming is a peaceful, grounding energy that makes him feel stable and confident, and gives him a place in his community. Drumming has many benefits socially, physically, mentally and spiritually, and he would like to share that with as many people as possible. If you are interested in drumming, please contact him at 850-425-2740, chezph2@aol.com, or for music and pictures visit Tocamos.com