The talents of one tribal youth, Morgan (The Z.Y.G.) Peters II, moved his 8th grade teacher to write and post the following essay as a spotlight on the Mashpee Public School website. Below is a copy of the article.

Imagine being a teacher reading some "What I Did For My Summer Vacation" essays and amid the stories of camping, fishing and trips westward, you come upon one that describes going on tour and headlining jazz festivals as a jazz fusion drummer. As fanciful as it might sound, if the essay was from Morgan James Peters, II (or Zyg or The Z.Y.G. as he's known to a growing number of fans), currently an 8th grader at Mashpee Middle School, it would accurately describe how he spent the summers of 2015 and 2016. In late 2014, Zyg started featuring at community performances of The GroovaLottos, a regional band that Zyg's father and cousin are members of.

Starting with a toy drum kit at age 4, and the collection of hand drums that his father had around the house, Zyg showed enough proficiency that his hand drumming is featured on two of his father's multi-awardwinning jazz and house music albums. Along with being a 5th generation musician, Zyg credits the contributions of Mashpee Public School educators Ms Sherman and Ms Hill at the Quashnet School and Mr Troyanos at the Mashpee Middle School to his development. Zyg also studies privately with GroovaLottos drummer Eddie Ray Johnson.

In June of 2015, after being heard at a family gathering, Zyg was invited to headline at the Onset Jazz Festival ‘Stars of Tomorrow' showcase. From there he was heard by James Braxton, of Boss Ten Entertainment and producer of the Boston Jazz Fest; who invited Zyg to be a headlining performer, along with Pat Braxton, Bradley Roche and The GroovaLottos. His performance received a standing ovation from festival goers. He also became a featured performer at the Cultural Survival Festival Tour throughout southern New England. Zyg is also featured in the music video and CD cover to "Do You Mind...?" the debut single by The GroovaLottos that has been in the top ten of the Americana/WI Blues Charts for over 34 weeks. (http://tinyurl.com/tgdym)

In 2016 he performed in New York City with avante-garde jazz Saxophonist Jay Rodriguez (formerly of Prince's band and occasionally seem on Jimmy Fallon with The Roots), who noted that Zyg could keep quite a pocket. This summer, Zyg returned as a headliner at The Boston Jazz Fest and has co-founded a hip-hop jazz group called JBZ. When The GroovaLottos were invited to the 2017 Gathering Of Nations Powwow in Albuquerque, NM (100,000 visitors, making it the largest powwow in North America), Zyg was specifically requested as part of the act.

At present, he and another young man, under the leadership of Jahiem Frye have formed a hip-hop group that performed in Boston on December 17 for a major benefit concert. Zyg's future plans include college, playing percussion professionally, and producing records and films. We are very proud of Morgan. He is another reason why "It's GREAT to be in MASHPEE."