Michael Boase
“Michael deserves to be recognised as one of Perth’s best and most original drummers”
- Ken Allen of The Chameleon Brass Band
“Michael is the best Repinique player in Australia”
- Tom Foss of Sambalicious
Boase’s knowledge and ability with samba rhythms is of an extremely high standard and is surely one of Australia’s finest sambistas. The sound of Beleza School of Samba is testament to Michael’s skill, have a listen for yourself.
Michael Boase has been performing since the age of 16 when he joined the “The Curry Boyz”, a 6 piece percussion outfit performing a mixture of African and Latin rhythms. This is where Michael’s passion for samba began. He showed a special flare not only as a drummer but as an all round showman. The first years out of high school, Michael worked with Paul Barrett of Freo Samba and the Curry Boyz performing around Perth in various festivals and events including the Exmouth Water Festival, Rottnest Festival, Fremantle Festival, The Perth Royal Show.
His interest in African music was further enhanced as Michael studied under South African born, Alastair Van Schoor, now based in Perth. Together with Alastair as Dunumba, and the help of government funding through Healthway, the duo conducted workshops in schools and small communities throughout Western Australia, wowing audiences with their complex rhythms and beautiful singing harmonies. Boase worked closely with Alastair for many years and it is during this time he gained a lot experience in workshops, singing, percussion and stage performance.
Both Michael and Alastair also worked with Ziggy Diagne, Senegalese master percussionist and lead drummer of African groups Ziggy Bay Jan and Ngewel Kora. At least one memorable occasion being their support act to OZOMATLI in Perth’s Kings Park.
Michael is a founding member of the immensely popular Brazil/Australia band Sambalicious with whom he has appeared playing drums, percussion and at times, even guitar! New Years Day 2008, Sambalicious supported the Australian reggae fusion band “Bomba” in Fremantle. Sambalicious has maintained a regular gig every Thursday for over four years! Although Michael has not been a part of this the entire time, he has definitely been part of the action, often performing with his new bateria under the name of Beleza as a special appearance. Michael and Beleza are now a regular feature alongside Sambalicious, a unique musical relationship that helps to further the growth and understanding of Brazilian music.
During 2007 Michael travelled to Brazil to perform and record in Sao Paulo with Sambalicious. For a further two months whilst in Brazil he had inspirational lessons with musicians from Rio de Janeiro including Monobloco, Pedro Lima, Clarice Maghales and Luiz Brasil. Since seeing the big samba schools in Rio, Boase has been suffering from ‘SAMBA FEVER’ as he calls it. His first trip to Brazil was aimed at doing some groundwork so that when he returns he has many musical contacts. Michael plans to make several trips to Brazil, each time to draw new knowledge and inspiration from the vibrant country.
In his career Michael has been asked to perform and record with many well regarded bands. He has performed and recorded with artists such as The Crux, Saritah, Deredjeff Dubar, Chameleon Brass Band, African Music Congress, The Groovesmiths, Lysistrata, Ziggy Bey Jan and many more.
Michael Boase was given the honour of being the touring drummer for the Funk Club National Tour, which visited four capital cities and even had him playing at the Sydney Opera House Bar right next to the harbour. Other tours include one with The Groovesmiths, performing in Darwin, Byron Bay, Sydney and Melbourne.
“All I want to do is share the passion that I have for Samba with as many people as I can. There is so much to love about this style of music and how it can bring the community together. We have an opportunity in Australia to recreate samba with a fresh perspective!”
Michael Boase