SAT, FEB 7 | TULIPS | DOORS 5.30
Larry Griffin Jr. / Symbolyc One (S1)
Grammy-winning, platinum-selling producer
Larry Griffin Jr., known professionally as Symbolyc One (S1), is a Grammy-winning, platinum-selling producer from Waco, Texas, whose credits include Kanye West’s “Power,” Beyoncé’s “Best Thing I Never Had,” and 50 Cent’s “My Life.” A versatile collaborator across hip hop, R&B, and pop, he has worked on landmark projects with West, Jay-Z, Eminem, Madonna, Erykah Badu, and more, as well as serving as a core member of Badu’s band The Cannabinoids. S1 has built a respected career bridging underground creativity and mainstream culture, helping shape some of the most influential albums of the past two decades.
tre
nagella
4x Grammy award winning engineer, mixer, and producer
Tre Nagella is a 4× Grammy-winning engineer, mixer, and producer whose credits span Ed Sheeran, Travis Scott, Lady Gaga, Blake Shelton, and gospel icon Kirk Franklin. A versatile creator across commercial music, film, and advertising, he has engineered chart-topping projects, co-produced Kitt Wakeley’s Billboard-topping classical crossover album, and helped pioneer new formats such as the first programmable music NFT, Betty’s Notebook, with Verdigris Ensemble. Nagella is an active voice in the industry as a speaker and educator, and was recently announced as a remixer for the 2026 FIFA World Cup theme, representing the Dallas area.
Tami
Thomsen
Music-industry veteran and the founder of Ann Arkey Productions
Tami Thomsen is a longtime music-industry veteran and the founder of Ann Arkey Productions, where she manages Toadies and Sarah Jaffe and works closely with independent labels including Skylark Soul Co. Her career has centered on championing artists and strengthening the DFW music scene. Tami currently serves on the Dallas Music Commission, sits on the Advisory Board for Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, and is a board member of Amplified Minds, a nonprofit providing free mental health services to creatives. She has also served two terms as a Recording Academy Governor and is active with Women in Music Dallas.
Chip
Adams
Director
Texas Music Office
Chip Adams is the Director of the Texas Music Office, where he leads statewide efforts to support and grow Texas’s commercial music industry. With a background spanning radio, artist promotion, and independent label and management work, Chip brings a hands-on understanding of the music ecosystem to his role. A former board member of the Texas Chapter of the Recording Academy, he continues to strengthen connections between musicians, communities, businesses, and government as head of the nation’s longest-running state music office.
TOM
MARTENS
Associate Vice President of Creative & Branding, Director of the Fort Worth Music Ofiice
Tom Martens is a branding and marketing professional with more than 12 years at Visit Fort Worth, where his work has helped shape how both locals and visitors experience the city. With a background in agency and freelance creative work, Tom has played a key role in promoting Fort Worth as “The Modern West,” while also championing the arts and supporting efforts to make Fort Worth a Music Friendly City. His creative approach and civic pride have helped strengthen Fort Worth’s identity and unite the community around it.
MODERATED BY
Benji
McPhail
Program Director at KXT 91.7 FM, an independent public radio station based in Dallas, Texas
Experienced Program Director with a demonstrated history of working in the music industry. Skilled in Music Licensing, Music Programming, Sound, Publicity, and Radio Production. Strong business development professional with a B.A focused in English Literature from University of Colorado.
The 2026 JAMBALOO Symposium will take place on Saturday, February 7th at Tulips in Fort Worth, bringing together some of the most influential voices in North Texas music for a day of conversation, insight, and community building. This annual gathering has quickly become a cornerstone of the broader JAMBALOO program—offering artists, industry professionals, educators, and civic leaders an opportunity to reflect on the region’s musical legacy while charting a path for its future.
This year’s Symposium will feature a panel of Grammy Award winners, industry veterans, and public leaders, who will explore the state of the DFW music scene from multiple vantage points. From the challenges of sustaining independent venues to the opportunities presented by new technologies and shifting cultural trends, panelists will draw on decades of professional experience and personal stories to illuminate the forces shaping our music ecosystem.
Serving as moderator will be Benji McPhail, Program Director for KXT 91.7FM, whose deep understanding of the local scene and thoughtful approach to dialogue have made him a trusted voice in DFW music. Under his guidance, the discussion will move through the past, present, and future of North Texas music, examining both the triumphs that have defined the scene and the structural issues that continue to shape its trajectory.
The private, invitation-only event will be live streamed and professionally recorded, ensuring that the insights and ideas shared on stage extend well beyond the room. By creating space for honest, informed conversation, the JAMBALOO Symposium aims to foster collaboration, spark new initiatives, and strengthen the connective tissue of the region’s cultural landscape.
PRESENTED BY
SUPPORTED BY
