MV: Okay, first let me say thank you for granting this interview
Tomaca: To share myself with others is always my honor. I thank you.
MV: I am sorry that I couldn't have been there to see you do your thing, you know perform,
but you know If I could have been there I would have.
Tomaca: You are and always have been one of the most important people to me when
it comes to critique. You give excellent, honest feedback. I'm really sorry that you
weren't there.
MV: We can talk about Family Day and your performance, and we're going too, but girl,
where did you get that dress? I mean I didn't see it live but I saw it on your website and heard about. If it looked that nice on your site, then I guess folks really got a visual treat. Right?
Tomaca: You heard about it!? Wow. I didn't realize that it had that much of an impact.
But it is a funky little outfit. I won't divulge any of my secret shopping spots, but I am a
most avid "hunter."
MV: Oh? Is that what women do? Hunt for clothing? (smiles)
Tomaca: YES!!! We don't just go shopping - we hunt!!!! When I perform, it's important to me to look unique, with a little touch of sexy, but to also be tasteful. My expectation of a performer is that if they are in a crowd of people during a performance, they should stand out. Their style of dress should point right to them. I know a lot of artists don't share that thinking, but that's mine.
MV: I can understand it, but you can stand out, look good or horrible, however in your case you were absolutely gorgeous!
Tomaca: Thank you. My hunting expedition was extremely successful that day.
MV: Interesting analogy. We will have to revisit that, but let me ask you,Why family Day? What is the magnetism that draws you to perform at this event?
Tomaca: Family Day is important to me for a lot of sentimental reasons. First of all,
I grew up right down the street from Keney Park. All of my youthful summers were spent
at the pool (yes, I swim extremely well). My brothers and I walked through the park to get
to school; and, there were countless hours at the playground. I would get up at 5:00 in the
morning and walk my German Shepherd, Sarge, in the park. The park is beautiful and has
a number of tranquil places where I would just go and sit by myself to "meditate" to sort out some of those things that we try to ingest mentally and emotionally in an effort to understand life during our teen years. I remained in that neighborhood after I married, the first time, and took my children to the playground. So I have a deep emotional
connection to Keney Park.
MV: I can sense that from your passionate response.
Tomaca: Now, as for Family Day, it's an event that takes place on my home ground.
It draws thousands and it's a wonderful thing to have your whole family there (brothers,
sisters, nieces, nephews, Mom, etc.) just hanging out and enjoying the festivities and each
other. It's like a reunion too, where you get to see folks that you went to school with that you haven't seen for years. That's an aspect of what Family Day brings and creates.
MV: What about from a musical perspective?
Tomaca: As for music and me and Family Day, it's where I got my start as a vocal artist. I have videos (some of which you took for me!) of my beginning years.
MV: Woo! That's right. Call me Mr. Documentary. I would love to see them again.
Tomaca: You've seen my website and read my story. I have always wanted to sing for an
audience, but it took me years to develop the courage. Being able to perform for Family Day
helped me with that process. It was part of the baby steps to my development as an artist.
MV: Family day was interesting because it afforded solo artist or unseasoned groups the
opportunity to perform in front of a large audience.
Tomaca: Yup.
MV: Now, I know that you have performed in the park a few times over the years, which year was most memorable and why?
Tomaca: The most memorable and most enjoyable for me was this past year, 2003.
Though there were many obstacles leading up to the performance, the most significant
for me was that I had injured my back and could hardly stand, walk or move, but was
determined to do the show. As they helped me up the stairs to the stage (yes, I needed
help to get up the stairs), I was confident and unafraid. This was the first time that I took
the stage for a Family Day performance and had absolutely no apprehension, no fear, no
butterflies, nothing. It was just me and God and we were going to do this thing. I made
my way to the microphone, summoned for the music to begin and magic happened I
could walk and move unaided, I was even able to dance a little. I could have danced a
lot, but knew that would prolong the healing process for my back, so I took it easy.
MV: It always amazes me what working musicians and vocalist go through for art or
music sake.
Tomaca: It's interesting to note that as I went to leave the stage, I crippled right back up! I got to the steps, looked out and saw my son and called to him to help me down the stairs. I couldn't get down by myself! But, God is good. We did what we came to do. Hummm, I think I hear a question, what was it you came to do?
MV: Stop putting words in my mouth, but you know me well, yes, what was it that you
came to do?
Tomaca: I came to grow. I came to share. I came to make myself more of me. I want to grow as an artist, a performer, and a vocalist. This is all part of the journey into me. Growing, coming to
full bloom, understanding the why's and wherefore's of my own existence and how it ties into the all of everything. I feel a sense, a need to share my voice, to touch hearts, to open minds, to do this work God has assigned me to do. And I know it's an assignment because when I sing I feel alive, I feel connected, I feel whole. So there's something to it and I can't explain or fully understand and don't need to. I accept that it's for me to do. And, I'm not at all egotistical about my voice, in fact I wish it was much more and far different from what it is. But, I've come to accept that it's what I have and that there is a purpose for it even if when all is said and sung, the only person that seems to benefit from it is me!
MV: I feel like we just went to church there for a moment. Gospel, is that in the big
Picture or are you just spiritual in your music?
Tomaca: Miles Davis said it best and most memorably when he said that he realized all of the music he had ever written was one long prayer. I 'm a very spiritual person. And by being spiritual I don't mean that I'm a Christian, but that I see life and everything in it in a spiritual way. We are all connected. We are all part of the whole. Like Michael Jackson sang, "You're just another part of me." I try to maintain that focus all of the time. And though it's not easy, it's my worthy goal. God, Allah, whatever you call it is everything that every was, is, or will be, and we're a part of that. I could keep talking and get really deep down into it, but another time.
MV: I know this year it rained, well actually it seemed to rain every year for Family Day,
how did you cope with the elements, because I know it can be difficult being on stage
during a downpour.
Tomaca: Sun was shining bright and beautiful when I was on. But, Family Day goes
on, rain or not. So if it had rained, we still would have done our thing and had a great
time.
MV: So you got to open for world-renowned saxophonist Marion Meadows.
Tomaca: Another great thing to have on the resume!
MV: Yes, I have noticed, Kool & The Gang, The Impressions, well, well, well... Opening for
Marion, What was that like? And did you get to actually meet him?
Tomaca: Unfortunately, because I was in rough shape that day, I came, did the gig and
left immediately after because I had to get back into bed and rest my back.
MV: will you be performing on any of Marion's tracks or any other artist's CDs besides your own CD? I asked that because the producer who produced some tracks on Marion's "Next To You" CD was also from the Hartford area as well.
Tomaca: Like I said, I didn't get to meet him. But aside from that, I am exploring and
would make myself available for any artistic opportunities that come up.
MV: So, tell me, who were the players on your set, you know the hired guns.
Tomaca: Drummer, Mark Smith; bass, Neil Hatcher; keyboards, Keith Cooper; guitar,
Rodney Redden; background vocals, Pamela Berry and Lomon Andrews. Everyone did
a great job. But, I have to give an extra, extra shout out to my boy Lomon Andrews.
He's a phenominal vocalist. I had him do a song during my set. He did "Another Star"
by Stevie [Wonder]. He tore it up!!! Check out his website: www.LomonAndrews.com.
Lomon is just so laid back and modest about his talent. And I have to say that in my
opinion, there aren't any other vocalists that sing his style of music that can touch him.
MV: Actually I saw a link to his website while reviewing yours, tamacagovan.com, and noticed that you are into designing websites also.
Tomaca: Yes! I enjoy exploring creativity. Whether it's on the computer designing websites, building databases, taking pictures and videos, refinishing furniture, or sewing clothes and curtains, it's important that I create. We're looking for a house now and I would be most comfortable if it's a fixer upper and I can go in there and just create the ideal living environment.
MV: Now you and I know that at times a Hartford audience can be like a bull in a china
closet, so to speak. Tomaca, tell me, this time did they show you love?
Tomaca: I've always felt the love from Hartford. Even in my formative years on
Family Day, I pulled a few folks to the stage. But, experience is the greatest teacher
right? So, I've learned to come out with a bang to pull in the crowd. We did "Lover
Girl" the live version and slammed it. That song pulled them in and we held them with
old school favorites Chaka Khan, Evelyn Champagne King, etc. So there was love,
there was partying, and it was on.
MV: Did you adjust your song set to fit with the Family Day theme or was it business
as usual?
Tomaca: You know I like the old school. In that sense, it was biz as usual, but, I did
make one adjustment. I added "Whatcha Gonna Do For Me" by Rufus & Chaka. I
dedicated it to Family Day and talked to people about our need as a community to
support the event. This was the first year in eighteen that Family Day was only one day
and not two. So I asked folks on behalf of the event itself, "whatcha gonna do?" I don't
want to see this wonderful event go away. And what am I going to do? I've asked to
work with Friends of Keney Park to find out how I can help.
MV: That's very nice. It would be a shame if it were discontinued because as you
have said earlier, future aspiring artist wouldn't get the opportunity to shine at Family
Day.
Tomaca: That's right. Let's keep it going. This is something for us, for our community.
Tomaca Govan was interviewed by Lionel Crawford for Music Village.
(c) 2003 LCM Productions.
