Thomas de Udiyana

Thomas Edward Brokaw (Thomas de Udiyana) is a composer and a multi-string instrumentalist. He plays sitar (from India), mandolin, bass acoustic and electric guitars and is responsible for the recordings and productions of Udiyana´s CDs. Thomas is Brazilian born, from Salvador, Bahia. He started to play and sing early, growing up in musical Salvador and always listening to music from the late 60´s. At 17, lived awhile in California, where besides studying, he jammed with local bands in Anaheim and Fullerton. Returning to Brazil in 1975, he played with a Group called Black Zé, (together with his brother Richard Brokaw) and other groups as well, always in the Rio de Janeiro area. In 1978 he toured Europe and in 1979 spent six months in India and Nepal researching Indian music. Back in Brazil he engages himself in many musical projects. Besides performing with the NEW ERA group Udiyana Bandha, he also plays with another musician, Luis Marcos Vasconcellos. What brought Thomas to compose was his love for travelling around beautiful places, and always living close to nature, in his beloved Brazil.