About

“If you’re considering going to Spain to study with Vicky Jassey and David Pattman, then stop thinking about it and go book ASAP!! It will be a top decision! To say it’s a treat is an understatement… We got pampered from beginning to end… Vicky and Dave create such an encouraging and enriching learning environment (we learned so much!)” Jess, 2022

Finca Ará Oko is a project set up by musicians, David Pattman and Vicky Jassey. They are passionate about the power of the arts to improve people’s lives. An extension of Bombo Productions, a community arts organisation founded in London by Vicky and Dave, Finca Ará Oko offers a retreat away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Here guests can immerse themselves in a range of creative retreats, good company and nature.

Vicky and Dave have been running and hosting residential courses and educational events – large and small-scale – for over fifteen years in the UK and Cuba. They specialise in creating a friendly environment where everyone’s needs are considered. They are musicians with a wealth of knowledge and teaching experience.

Biogs
David Pattman is a Latin percussion who has worked with artists such as Slim Gailard, Carlos ‘Patato’ Valdez, Papaito, Henry Fiol, Tito Allen, Adalberto Santiago, Tito Nieves, Marvin Santiago,  Jimmy Bosch, Jacob Collier, Vic Goddard, Tindersticks, Slim Gailard, Paul McCartney, Snowboy and the Latin Section, Alex Wilson, Cubanismo, Alfredo Rodriguez, Cheikh Lo, and Afro Cubism. David was also the percussionist in London west-end shows The Lion King and On Your Feet.

David has been playing Cuban folkloric drumming in both performance and ritual contexts for 25 years. He is a sworn ritual batá drummer who has played alongside many of the most respected elders in Cuba. Over the last ten years, he has dedicated time to sharing his knowledge and has experience of teaching individually, in groups and at university.

Vicky Jassey is the artistic director of Bombo Productions, since 2007. She is also a scholar, musician and educator. Vicky holds a PhD in Ethnomusicology from Cardiff University and completed her Masters in Performance at SOAS, University of London. She has 25 years of experience teaching music and managing projects.  She specialises in Afro-Cuban folkloric music and is a co-director, lead singer and percussionist in Coro de Clave – Cuban Harmony Choir and Orchestra Bombo.