Ryan Tennis, a Philadelphia-based singer-songwriter and guitarist, creates music that bridges cultural divides and celebrates diversity. Influenced by the folk and rock legends of his youth (Simon & Garfunkel, The Beatles) and the soulful sounds of Bill Withers and Otis Redding, Tennis incorporates vibrant rhythms from his extensive travels, particularly in Colombia. A former All-American football player at Davidson College, his performances exude dynamic energy, blending sweetness with infectious danceability. In Philadelphia, he curates “Tracks at the Vale,” a backyard concert series reflecting his inclusive ethos. Splitting time between the U.S. and Colombia, Tennis channels joy and connection through his genre-defiant music.
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Born during a backyard jam session on a rainy day, “Morena” features Cartagena, Colombia’s El Caribefunk and legendary South African bassist Bakithi Kumalo of Paul Simon’s Graceland fame. Originally from Tennis’s 2023 album Dando Papaya, the track celebrates cultural connection through layered harmonies, rhythmic percussion, and an intimate live recording style. “Hold me like a child, follow the sand to the breakers / When the summer is wild, we will dance as the world awakens.”
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