Multi-instrumentalist Tammy Bueno's feet were firmly planted on a classical path before encounters with a series of teachers sent her down the road to Brazilian and Latin jazz. She hasn't looked back.

The San Jose, California native began studying symphonic percussion in 1978. At age 17 she traveled to Germany with the San Jose Youth Symphony. When Tammy connected with the percussion ensemble at San Jose City College, the lure of jazz began to cast its spell. Here Tammy studied under jazz ensemble director Dave Eshleman. With a foot in both worlds, Tammy also traveled to Switzerland with the San Jose Wind Symphony. But the rhythms of Brazil and Afro-Cuban jazz had already wrapped themselves around her heart. The then 18-year old percussionist began experimenting with the vibraphone. From there, she found herself playing vibes in Eshleman's band.

Moving over to San Jose State University, Tammy studied with world-renowned symphonic percussion teacher Tony Cirone. By the time she began Brazilian and Afro-Cuban percussion classes with Dan Sabanovich, the dye was cast.

Tammy's interest in Brazilian music eventually exposed her to Capoeira (pronounced Cop-pu-wera), the Brazilian martial art. Through her involvement in Capoeira, Tammy moved to Brazil for five years. Here she immersed herself in Brazilian culture, and learned to speak fluent Portuguese. A chance remark by a neighbor led to a year-long tour with Brazilian composer Johnny Alf, famous for his song "Eu e a Brisa."

"Vibes in Brazilian music is unusual,he came to my home and invited me to play without even an audition. We had a brief rehearsal the day of the gig, and before I knew it I was playing vibes and percussion in Johnny's band."

Today, Tammy plays vibes and a wide range of percussion instruments with Nossa Bossa, a South Bay Brazilian band, and salsa with El Boricua E Su Orquesta. She is currently recording a Latin jazz CD with the San Jose State University Latin Jazz Ensemble. The inexhaustible Tammy teaches regularly, plays percussion and guitar in the Darrel & Tammy Duo, and also participates in a Samba School. She is co-founder of Capoeira of San Jose, and has directed their music program since 1992.