Our music is called “Clave Soul” a marriage of the Afro-Cuban Clave and Rhythm & Blues. The Clave is a rhythm pattern that dictates a distinctive pattern; collectively the two bars give the composition/arrangement a musical character. The musical character could be in 2/3 or a 3/2 pattern. All of the percussion instruments including the piano must adhere to the assigned clave pattern. I was inspired to create the “Clave Soul” sound from listening to the Rhythm & Blues of Sam Cooke and the Salsa music of Eddie Palmeri. The Drum song, which is one of my original compositions, illustrates the story of how the sound of the “Tambor/Drum” talked to me. I was affectionately given the the name Babatunde by a musical associate. The name means “The Father Returns”. Music is a part of my heritage, soul, heart, blood, and the rhythms are connected to my soul. My interpretation of “Clave Soul” is the replacement of the traditional drum set of Rock and Roll with the Latin percussion ensemble of timbales, congas, bongos, maracas, and claves. The strum of the guitar cords spices it up, and the harmonic chants, fortifies the the groove. I love the partnership of Latin & R & B, it makes the music all so smooth and in perfect harmony.