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About me
Paulin Lukombo Sinu
Founder, Musician & Educator
Paulin Lukombo Sinu is a Central African musician, percussionist, drummer, composer, and educator specializing in the rhythmic traditions of the Congo Basin and their integration into contemporary music. Born and raised within Central African musical culture, Paulin developed his musical identity through direct transmission of traditional rhythms, community ceremonies, and modern performance practices.
As a performing artist, his work bridges traditional Central African percussion with jazz, Afro-jazz, fusion, gospel, and popular African music. His artistic approach emphasizes groove, polyrhythm, cyclical time, and rhythmic dialogue, drawing clear connections between ancestral rhythms and modern drum set vocabulary.
Paulin has performed in diverse international contexts, collaborating with musicians from Africa, Europe, and North America. His experience includes live performances, studio work, cultural exchange projects, and educational workshops focused on rhythm, ensemble interaction, and cross-cultural musical understanding.
As an educator, he brings an authentic, experiential teaching approach rooted in African oral tradition while aligning with contemporary music education standards. His pedagogy combines call-and-response, body percussion, ensemble-based learning, and structured adaptation of traditional rhythms to modern drum set and percussion instruments.
As the visionary behind Root Sounds Productions, he combines his artistic mastery with a commitment to cultural preservation, ensuring that the ancient sounds of the heartland find new life in the modern era.
As a performing artist, his work bridges traditional Central African percussion with jazz, Afro-jazz, fusion, gospel, and popular African music. His artistic approach emphasizes groove, polyrhythm, cyclical time, and rhythmic dialogue, drawing clear connections between ancestral rhythms and modern drum set vocabulary.
Paulin has performed in diverse international contexts, collaborating with musicians from Africa, Europe, and North America. His experience includes live performances, studio work, cultural exchange projects, and educational workshops focused on rhythm, ensemble interaction, and cross-cultural musical understanding.
As an educator, he brings an authentic, experiential teaching approach rooted in African oral tradition while aligning with contemporary music education standards. His pedagogy combines call-and-response, body percussion, ensemble-based learning, and structured adaptation of traditional rhythms to modern drum set and percussion instruments.
As the visionary behind Root Sounds Productions, he combines his artistic mastery with a commitment to cultural preservation, ensuring that the ancient sounds of the heartland find new life in the modern era.
Teaching Philosophy & Specialties:
"Rhythm is a living language—one that connects culture, movement, listening, and creativity. My courses aim to equip students with both technical proficiency and cultural awareness, empowering them to apply Central African rhythmic concepts within jazz, global music, and modern performance settings."
Central African RhythmsDrum Set AdaptationPolyrhythmWorld Music EnsemblesAfro-JazzGroove DevelopmentImprovisationCross-Cultural Performance
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About me
Johanna Sorrentino
Co-Founder, Communications Strategist & Performing Artist
Johanna Sorrentino is a communications strategist, brand storyteller, and performing artist. Her work is dedicated to bringing the stories of individuals, organizations, communities, and cultures to diverse audiences in ways that engage, inspire, and motivate.
Johanna's multifaceted background spans her professional career in content and communications, her experience as a blues and jazz vocalist, and her dedication to the Afro-Brazilian martial art of Capoeira. For over 15 years, she has trained and taught Capoeira in California, Europe, and Vermont—developing a deep understanding of how cultural traditions are transmitted, transformed, and kept alive through music, dance, and community.
She co-founded Root Sounds Productions with her husband Paulin to help connect cultures through music—bringing her expertise in strategic communication, cultural storytelling, and cross-disciplinary artistry to expand the company's reach and impact. Her role focuses on building meaningful connections with audiences, partners, and communities while ensuring Root Sounds' work resonates authentically across diverse cultural contexts.
Johanna's multifaceted background spans her professional career in content and communications, her experience as a blues and jazz vocalist, and her dedication to the Afro-Brazilian martial art of Capoeira. For over 15 years, she has trained and taught Capoeira in California, Europe, and Vermont—developing a deep understanding of how cultural traditions are transmitted, transformed, and kept alive through music, dance, and community.
She co-founded Root Sounds Productions with her husband Paulin to help connect cultures through music—bringing her expertise in strategic communication, cultural storytelling, and cross-disciplinary artistry to expand the company's reach and impact. Her role focuses on building meaningful connections with audiences, partners, and communities while ensuring Root Sounds' work resonates authentically across diverse cultural contexts.