The Tamborim is a small hand-held drum, played with a plastic beater. One of the most distinct instruments in the band due to its high pitch and volume, the tamborim’s rhythm is easily distinguished above the other instruments in the band. It is also a constant feature during grooves and breaks and complements the caixa in maintaining the samba swing.

Joining Samba Masala in her first year in SMU was no doubt the best decision Vanessa has made in her university life. The minute she picked up the drum sticks during the tryout session and joined in the groove, she knew she was hooked on it. Very thankful to be able to continue pursuing her passion in Sambiesta, Vanessa loves just how infectious Samba music is and is delighted that she is able to share the funky beats with an extensive audience. She is constantly inspired by her instructors’ – Budi, Hardy and Sharan from Wicked Aura – ingenuity and passion for Samba.

Before discovering Samba, Vanessa has been classically trained since the age of five when she started learning the piano and has gone a long way since then, moving on to teaching part time since 2005. Her other involvement in music included a two-year stint in the choir as a Soprano singer and sectional leader during her junior college years. Who says one can’t have the passion for and excel in two different ends of the music spectrum?

What keeps Swee Hock happy is hanging out with a cool bunch of people and playing music. The upswing beats of Samba rhythm and the versatility of Sambiesta’s fusion music are also what appealed to Swee Hock. So obviously, these are what keeps Swee Hock so passionate about Samba music and playing Samba with his favourite band, Sambiesta.

He started with no previous musical experience in Samba music but went ahead with practices and classes. And now, after 3 years of training, he has become an well trained Tambourin player.

As long as there is “Samba”, the world will become a happier place.

Unlike most musicians, Z-Way never knew he had any musical genes until he decided to join SMU's Samba Masala in 2005. It has been a journey of discovery ever since, with him trying out the Indian Dhols initially, before moving on to Tambourims and finally to the Surdo. On the Macacão ever since, Z-Way has been jamming on to samba music, from Samba Masala and now to Sambiesta.

Z-Way is currently pursuing his final year in SMU's School of Information Systems. When he's not jamming, he's probably working on being a geek.