Tshombe Sekou [Harris]

Life (1973 -     )

Born in New Orleans and raised in Israel, Tshombe (Shom-Bay) offers a view of two worlds of opposite polarities, in doing so he inspires a mental revolution for anyone who enters his gravitational pull. Tshombe received his formal education abroad, returned to the United States in the early '90s upon which he enlisted into the US Navy where he currently serves as a Navy Chief.   In the past fifteen years Tshombe has the opportunity to travel to more than sixty-seven countries immersing himself in cultures and communities around the world, gaining an in depth and intimate prospective on world issues.

Tshombe is married to his wife Dedre (dee-drah) of nine (as of 2009) years; she has been the inspiration behind his poetry.



      (happiness defined)


In Poetry
He developed an affinity for the craft and skill of expressing through poetry, finding it as a viable vehicle for teaching and help others see the world through different lens; delivering compelling lyrics that speak with truth and clarity.

Mused by the events of life, inspired by truth; he delivers more than just poetry, but aims to incite life just as the Most High spoke life into existence.  While combining his love for jazz and poetry, combined with life's experiences he mixes them into one-verse, preparing for the ultimate delivery of art.  This is his verbal jazz as it is meant to be: crafted with intelligence to move the body, mind and soul like the notes from the trumpet of Miles himself.

Tshombe self produced his 2007 debut album "IAMNOTAPO3T" from start to finish, from music to art work as an experimental project which led  to a very successful outcome.  Subsequently he was asked on to several production projects for poets across the poetry community.  His second full project at production was with poet MohagonyDiva's debut album "Is My Mic On" leading all the way up to his second personal 2009 project "Verbal Jazz Vol. 1" (see right column for links).  Tshombe has served as project consultant on several poetry projects and anthologies, and has become known as a "one stop shop" and the epitome of an "independent artist".


Tshombe says: “truth is, I didn't find poetry on the page at some ripened age, nor did I have any inclination that from just a few years ago I would be giving commentary of my history in the arts of spoken-word and written poetry, but yet here we are.  I began studying the works of poets like: Shihan, Ben Ammi, Saul Williams, Ntozake Shange, Gil Scott Heron, The Last Poets, Taalam Acey, Ngoma, LeDerick Horne, Nikki Giovanni, Abiodun Oyewole, Ursula Rucker, and Amiri Baraka to name a few.  Studying the works of such great messengers has helped in finding my voice to speak and to move from page to stage.   I strive to change the world one word at a time with strong influences from poets such as these following fire starters: Tantra-Zawadi, Future, Fisiwe, Dwayne Morgan, Jamhiri Crawford, Chuma, The Maximum Impact Duo, Iyeoka Okoawo, Eryk Moore, Karen Roc Gibson, Sun of Man, Future, Zuri, Suzi Q., Lynn Blue, OneTruth, Autum Ashante, NeNe Ali, and so many other great messengers that would consume the rest of the ethernet.”

Albums & Appearances

  • IAMNOTAPO3T (2007, Solo) - Debut album.  Produced and arranged by Tshombe for Emet Productions
  • Verbal Jazz Vol. 1 (2009, Collaborative) - This is my second album release; a collaboration album with poets and friends.  All music produced and arranged by Tshombe for Emet Productions.  Download it for FREE
  • Poetic Stimulus (2009, Collab Appearance) - This is a project spearheaded by the poet/producer AtlantaRed in which I had the distinct pleasure of working with some great artists. Download it for FREE
  • Is My Mic On? (2009, Collab Appearance) - This is MaDi's debut album which was engineered and mastered by Tshombe for Emet productions.
  • Through It All by Author PamelaJune Anderson, D.Min. - I had the awesome pleasure of being able to write a poem for a good friend and mentor.  The poem "The Love of a Sister" was published as a dedication in her book in 2007. 

Booking & Contact

847.201.4741 | email | Twitter | Facebook |Fan Club | LinkedIn | Press Kit | Tshombeism (Blog)

Conversations of Note

(auditory/literary)


Performances:

-          The Negro League Cafe - Chicago

-          Lunar Cafe - Chicago

-          The Hawaiian Hut - Honolulu

-          Jazz@SouthBridge - Singapore

-          Just Jazz - PattayaThailand

-          Malaysia

-          Philippines


Other Activities:

-          Owner of self-started production label: Emet Productions, EST. 2006

-          Founded "Poetic Voices" poetry group with partners: LovelyBrnFemale and Mandika

-          Founded and Managed the STORM Radio (2006 - 2009) with partners: LoveOneSelf, Amina1389, MizloonaR, The Nxtlvl, LovelyBrnFemale, and Mandika

o       hosting and scripting:  

Wake Up Call, Xpress Yourself Poetry, Let's Make Sense, and Mic Check

-          Founder and host of "Freedom Verse Cafe" an online venue for promoting spoken-word poetry, jazz, and soul through news postings, promotional mixtapes, and online radio broadcasting.

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