meet the tribal core
MIKE NIK (Cyprus)
Bass
The Cypriot pirate of the tribe, Michalis Nicholaus aka "Mike Nike" started playing the bass at the age of 14. As no-one else wanted to play that instrument in his group of friends (typical approach to bass guitar), soon it became a relationship that changed his life.
After lots of shows and an EP album release, Mike wanted to spice things up a little and moved to Southampton, UK, for music studies and better future.
Since then, he played venues and festivals such as The Joiners, Victorious Festival, The Wedgewood Rooms and more. He also supported big names such as The Twin Atlantic, Pete Murray and The Dunwells.
Few words by Tuto: "The way I've approached Mike was probably the rudest way I could ever find...something like "hey, I heard you play bass? Saturday 7pm soundcheck with us..." Since that challenge, Mike has been dedicating time to Latinize his bass technique and get onto the Samba Rock groove with the Tribe. Sorry Mike for my punchy invite...glad I did it!"
Blair Hammond (Canada)
Tenor Saxophone - and silly music quotes
Blair started with classical piano at the age of 5 through the Royal Conservatory of Music in Vancouver Canada. Upon realising that classical theory is really hard..., he promptly made a switch to jazz Saxophone during high school.
He studied Jazz at Capilano University, performing in the “A” Band and the NiteCap vocal ensemble. Still frightened of music theory, Blair has worked in cruise ships for nearly 10 years, performing theatre shows and lounge acts with musicians from all over the globe.
Played at: 2010 Winter Olympics - Vancouver and Victoria Jazz Festivals - Peak Performance Project (Vancouver) - Festivals in the UK.
Besides Sax, he enjoys podcasts, cheese, transcribing jazz solos, neighbourhood strolls (that conveniently finish at a pub), and buttered popcorn. we could say he’s a little less fearful of music theory now...
Few words by Tuto: "Blair is simply the nicest Canadian I've ever met. After a jam session in early 2022 we've had a quick chat and... one week later he was already in the Tribe. He adds an awesome taste for each note, a smart mind and ear for picking up the parts on the fly and, most of all, the boy's got fire coming out of that horn!"
RICH STRANGE (ENGLAND)
Alto Saxophone - AND SPREADSHEET PILOT
Born and bred in the UK, Rich started playing clarinet in the school orchestra and jazz band, even getting onto local TV and radio. Later in life, he went to work on sales for international brands, travelling around many countries, including Brazil.
Despite being busy with work, he never lost his passion for music, freelancing at festivals and researching Music Industry trends. After growing up two beautiful daughters, and ending the second marriage (to a Brazilian lady) he sold his house and moved to Greece. There he worked as a Sailing Instructor, picked up his sax and played weekly with the house band ‘Big Dipper’.
Returning to the UK, he joined ‘The Sinking Brass Band’, the Samba School BraSoc and later the Tuto Tribe, triggering significant musical development and vision for the band development.
Few words by Tuto: "I met Richard in 2017 and I was impressed about how much he knew about the Brazilian Culture... from that point on, Music spoke for itself =) A true British gentleman, he joined the Tribe looking to improve his Sax skills and I'm so glad to witness his development in such a short time. Today he is the Tribe's Elder and manages the band activities"
FOREVER MEMBERS OF THE TRIBE
mike wigglesworth (England)
bass
Marcio Douglas (Brazil)
Drums
Bachelor in Percussion by State University of Paraná (Brazil) endorsed by Soultone Cymbals and Collision drumsticks
Content creator with a succesful Youtube channel with more than 6k subscribers and 1M views: Drum Rockers
Played with: Maestro José Carreras (Spain) - Maestro Andrea Bocceli ( Italy) - Fred Mills (Canada) - Hermeto Pascoal - Australian Bee Gees - Brass and Symphonic Orchestra Paraná - CW Brass - Reggae Djamborii Roots - Tukanos (Portugal)
Few words by Tuto: "Marcio is the most humble drummer I've ever met. The first to offer help and the last to complain. Steady as a metronome, he is the heart of every "Tu-to" we sing when people beat their chests at the gigs and resonates the spirit of the Tribe"
