Biography

In The Beginning

Born September 29, 1959, in Oakland California, Tam Tambor Sugayan an American - Filipino - Portuguese Professional Musician.

Tam Sugayan is the Son of percussionist Joseph Sugayan who began to teach and nurture Tam's insatiable appetite for percussion and the love of music at the age of five.

At the age of twelve, Tam began his musical journey as a member of a band in the San Fransisco Bay Area called GRITO whose members also included; Sheila Escovedo - (Sheila E), Joe Cano, Dale Viiiacecio - (Tierra). & Coke Escovedo was their Manager at the time who booked them with late greats like Vince Geraldi, Cal Tjader & Mongo Santamaria...,

From the early '70s, '80s & '90s, whenever Tam wasn't performing or providing percussion and conga drum support & instruction, Tam found himself working in the music industry wherever there was a calling; be it in the studio tracking or doing voiceovers, laying tracks for local bands for their DEMOs or recording records, shooting videos, stage, and movie production, writing and arranging percussion, creating samples, programming drum machines or just percussion loops for DJ's, Tam would still find time for community drumming in renowned places like University of California's Sproul Plaza, San Fransisco's, Delores & Aquatic Parks whereas a young man he would hone he craft in these legendary community drum circles.

After graduating from Oakland High School (1977) Tam began his career as a painter and then took a break from his music endeavors to pursue a career as an entrepreneur.

Longing for his love of music, he later returned to the music scene in 1989.

The music community embraced his return as if he had never stepped out of the spotlight.

His return to the music scene began by supporting local bands and performing at local venues and festivals as a guest artist with Pete & Juan Escovedo, Bobby Wmack, Joe Cano, Richard Bean & SAPO, Cold Blood, Tierra, Dwayne Wiggins, Tamallii, Willie K and various other groups and artist performing all types of genres to include; R & B, Pop, Latin Rock, Latin Jazz, Salsa, Tex-Mex, Mexican Rock, Rap, Top-40, Folk, African & Various Latin Drumming, Country, Contemporary and Polynesian.

1997 - CD Bungee Jumping Cows. ROCK CANDY (ASCAP) Children Educational CD (re-released 2008)

2003 - CD Joe Cano CHEMISTRY

2003 - DVD Mystique NOCHE DE AZTLAN Live in Concert (WWW Simulcast)

2009 - NFL Raiders vs. Chargers pre-game show Mystique Oakland Coliseum

2010 - DVD Mambo Tropical (released 2012)

2010 - DVD EL Patron - Mystique Movie Scene

2012 - CD Third Sol

2012 - CD Willie K WAREHOUSE BLUES

2013 - Davina Joy LA CANTANTE

2014 - DVD Video Sheila E FIESTA featuring B. Slade

2015 - CD Third Sol (CD Release May 9, 2015)

2016 - CD Joe Cano JOE CANO

Married with four wonderful children, Tam has never been happier and more content with his personal life and musical career as this balance has been his motivator which has provided the opportunity to be a performing member of the following :

CARNAVAL

Richard Bean & SAPO ("of SUAVECITO FAME") - Latin Rock

DAKILA

Willie K - Hawaiian, Blues, Rock, Latin, Classical

EN~VIVO Latin, Latin Rock, Latin Jazz, Latin Soul

Mystique - Latin , Tex Mex, Mexican, R & B, Top 40

Ray McCoy & The Luther Vandross Tribute Band

Joe Cano - Latin, jazz, rock, salsa, Smooth Jazz, flamenco

Le Ala Polynesia - Professional Polynesian Dance Company

Breath Life & Spirit - Music Ministry

Third Sol - Original Music - Latin-Funk-Soul

STRATIFY - Smooth Jazz~Funk