baobab tree

West African Drumming, Song and Dance


Who we are

We are exceptionally lucky to have several Griot musicians among our performers/workshop leaders as well as other musicians and dancers who have grown up among traditional arts practitioners. A Griot is a hereditary musician or storyteller: a living library of music and songs containing the aural/oral history of the people of West Africa.(For further information on Griots, click here) Our griots play the Kora, (traditional harp/lute), and the Djembe.

We believe strongly in the value of presenting the music by partnering authentic traditional musicians with their European counterparts in order to enhance communication at all levels, and so we normally work in pairs in a workshop situation. Performances/demonstrations would start as a duo and rise to 6 or more musicians including dancers where appropriate. Our aim is always to give as true a taste of the music of West Africa as possible, in an energetic, inspiring, and interactive format.

DOUDOU CISSOKO: Kora

DouDouDoudou Cissoko is a griot, having inherited his tradition from his famous father, Soundioulou Cissoko, who was given the title “ King of Kora” in 1967. From an early age, Doudou was initiated into the techniques of building and playing the Kora, and began composing while still in his teens. As a very young man, he performed as a percussionist and Kora player in a traditional African Ballet group, ‘Tam Tam Afrique’, and with his brothers and sisters in the family group ‘ Allalake’ as a Kora player.

Twenty years’ ago, while performing for visitors to Goree Island (the point of departure for many of Senegal’s victims of the slave trade), Doudou was invited to France, where he has lived and worked ever since.

Doudou His first album, ‘Dimbaya’ (meaning ‘Family’), was released on db records in 2001, and he continues to compose and perform around the world today, mixing acoustic and electric instruments in a repertoire of music which is both modern and yet deeply traditional. Whether on TV playing for Jools Holland, on an international stage, in a school, or in a small village hall, Doudou believes very strongly in the role of music to inspire, educate, and build cultural bridges between children and adults of all ages and backgrounds. He was the first Kora player in Europe to combine traditional Kora melodies with the sounds of Double Bass and Cello, an idea that has been taken up since by many Kora players around the world.

myspace.com/doudoucissoko

For further information on Griots, click here

BUCARR NDOW: Djembe, Wolof drums

Bucarr Bucarr Ndow spent his early years in the seaside town of Backau, Gambia, surrounded by music, dancing, and song. He began learning at 8 years’ old, finally emerging into the world of traditional music as a player of Sabar, the Wolof drum from Senegal and Gambia made famous by Doudou Ndiaye Rose. Bucarr honed his skills performing on the tourist circuit as well as at community festivals and ceremonial occasions. He later joined a well-established performing troupe, “Roots Manding”, which opened up a world of professional performance opportunities, and went on to learn the art of Djembe under one of the most respected Gambian Djembe masters, Ali Kalliisa.

In 1994, Bucarr came to England where he continued in his role as lead solo drummer. Today, Bucarr lives in Tunbridge Wells and is well known throughout England as one of the finest African Master Drummers, working with such companies as Badejo Arts, ACE, and the Master Drummers of Africa; performing at major national venues including Womad and the Royal Festival Hall. He is a popular teacher and workshop facilitator, and is now Artistic Director and leader of traditional West African group Troupe Kissi Faramaya and high-life dance band Yiri Baa.

LANDING MANE: Dance, Djembe, Doudounba, Bougeurabou, Tama, Sabar

Landing A performing artist for over 20 years, Landing Mané embodies the spirit of Senegalese music and dance. Landing has studied traditional West African dance and drumming since the age of 4, and received formal training in Afro jazz and classical ballet at the Natrional Conservatory of Dakar. He was Artistic Director and Choreographer of Bakalama of Thionck-Essyl in Dakar, a group founded by his father, for five years.

Since arriving in London in 1998, Landing has worked as a choreographer, dancer and musician, and has performed with Adam Benjamin, co-founder of CandoCo Dance Company, Badejo Arts, Sakoba, Mashengo and Rhino Drum. He performs at festivals throughout Britain and Europe, including WOMAD, Drum Camp and Winter Drum. Landing is a versatile musician and dancer with innate talent for performing and teaching, and an energy which inspires joy in all who are lucky enough to meet him.

ALICIA DAVIES: Djembe, Doundounba, Calabash, Goumbe, Bougeurabou

Alicia Many years’ ago, Alicia Davies’ life was turned on its head by the power, vitality, and joy of West African music. In no time, an absorbing fascination became a career, which has created opportunities to perform on international stages with artists from around the globe.

During that time, she has repaired Peter Gabriel’s drums and written a book, “ Finding the voice of your drum”, on fundamental Djembe techniques. She has had many years’ experience of facilitating both educational and corporate workshops alongside artists from West Africa, in venues around the world and the UK. The love and practice of African music has given Alicia a passport to many musical experiences: having performed at prestigious venues/events such as the Royal Festival Hall, National Theatre, Purcell Room, and at Womad festival with West African artists and companies including Badejo Arts, Jelimasa, Sabari, Jamo Jamo Arts, and most recently, with Senegalese artists Daby Balde and Kora maestro Doudou Cissoko and his nephew, Jally Keba Susso. The same musical experiences also influence Xi.am, her own creative project, which blends the earthy sounds of African instruments with elements of jazz, poetry and electronics.

myspace.com/aliciadavies

MOD’LAMINE ‘MOX’ CISSOKO: Djembe, Doundoun Ba

Mox The second of our Griots, Djembe master Mod'Lamine Cissokho was born into the musical Cissokho family in Casamance, southern Senegal. Mod’ Lamine – known as “Mox”- has played the Djembe and Doundounba since a very young age. He has toured extensively throughout Senegal, Guinea, Mali and The Gambia, leading, training and soloing with a great many musicians. He has played with Les Ballets Africains, Farita, Bougarabou, African Ballet and many more, and his knowledge of West African music is widely respected. Today, he is based in Dorking, Surrey, and continues to bring his knowledge and expertise to his students and the musical groups with whom he performs.

myspace.com/mod’laminecissokho

For further background information on Griots, click here

KAT MILES: Dance

Kat From an early start as a practitioner of street theatre, Kat Miles’ personal journey has carried her from her Caribbean heritage to the heart of African dance, becoming a valued performer with many professional African troupes, and an empathetic and encouraging teacher of West African dance to all ages, including special needs.

 

 

ABASS NII DODOO: Djembe, Kpanlogo, Limbo

Kat Abass Dodoo is the nephew of Mustapha Tetty Addy, the most visible member of a well - known royal family of master drummers. Abass has been performing internationally and teaching African music and drumming in his uniquely entertaining style for almost 3 decades, sharing his knowledge throughout the UK and abroad to students of all ages and capabilities. Through participation – and humour - Abass invites everyone he meets to personally engage with the power of music from this dynamic continent. He specialises in dealing with children who are difficult to reach.

MOHAMED DORDOH: Dance, Djembe, Doundounba

Kat Mohamed Dordoh trained at the Academy of African Music & Arts in Ghana, and has been performing and teaching for approximately 20 years in Ghana and the UK. He has taken his work around the country to venues including Barbican Pit Theatre, Birmingham Repertory Theatre, West Yorkshire Playhouse and other established regional outlets, working with renowned directors such as Chuck Mike, and international choreographers and dancers such as Koffi Koko.

Previously, Mohammed has been lead dancer in Strictly African Dancing on BBC1. He was also a principle performer and choreographic consultant for the musical Sundance, at the Hackney Empire. Between 1998 and 2005 Mohammed was principle dancer and rehearsal director with Adzido Pan African Dance Ensemble. With Adzido, Mohammed toured the UK, Europe and Africa in productions of Footsteps, Silk, Sankofa, Chesa Chesa, Secrets of Makaleng, Yaa Asentewa, and Spirit of Oking.

Mohammed has choreographed for Aklowa Dance Ensemble, Nzinga dance, Adanta, BEN TV and OBE TV.