Reunion Rhythms - Juzz Bass & Drums

Govin Tan is a versatile world music percussionist/drummer with a burning desire to the push boundaries of ethnic drumming. He was the first non-Indian to win the National Indian Music Competition in 2006 at the age of 14 (Tabla intermediate category) and 2008 at the age of 16 (Tabla open category).

An adventurous soul at heart, Govin’s curiosity for the different musical cultures around the world led him to pursue them one study at a time. His dedication and discipline for the arts has culminated in his involvement in numerous festivals both internationally and in Singapore, residencies, and performances with likeminded artists—as a soloist, a sessionist as well as a composer.

Govin is a second-generation owner of Flame of the Forest and an associate musician in Open Score Project and SA the collective. Apart from performing, he is also an active educator whose goal is to nurture and encourage more ethnic drumming in contemporary settings.

Umar Zakaria is a New Zealand based bassist and composer known for uniting diverse musical traditions to inspire communication and cooperation across cultural boundaries. He was named Best Jazz Artist by Recorded Music New Zealand in 2018 and has performed across Europe, Asia, and the USA.

Umar has studied with legendary jazz bassists Cecil McBee and Lynn Seaton, and New Zealand’s own Paul Dyne. He was awarded 2nd prize at the BASS2014 International Jazz Bass Competition and was selected to participate in the Betty Carter Jazz Ahead programme at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Umar has also composed orchestral scores that were recorded by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and performed by the NZSO and Royal New Zealand Ballet in a collaborative concert in 2012.

Umar seeks to share heartfelt original music with audiences across New Zealand and internationally, spreading a message of courage and unity through the powerful sound of the double bass.