Learn to play ancient African hand-made traditional instruments, such as the Balafon, Dodo, Kora, and Kalimba. Join in on the song classes! We have a limited number of instruments for use available in each instrument class. We also have a limited number of traditional instruments for sale.
MARTIN DOBODE ZAGBO - IVORY COAST - DODO
MARTIN ZAGBO
MARTIN DOBODÉ ZAGBO is the artistic director and founder of Groupe Afric Azôlou and former choreographer with the Compagnie Nationale de Dense de Côte d’Ivoire. An artist for more than 30 years, Mr. Zagbo has created over 12 works for the companies he has been affiliated with. Mr. Zagbo’s career began as a dancer with the then Ballet National de Côte d’Ivoire founded under the direction of the Cote d'Ivoire Ministry of Culture. He then went on to become a principal dancer in the touring company. From 1982 to 1985 he was a founding member of Compagnie Didiga where he choreographed 6 productions. He continued his relationships with the company as a consulting choreographer through 1993 while also assisting in the development of Kotchegna, an artist collective and performance ensemble. In 1993 he returned to work as a choreographer for the Compagnie National de Danse of Côte d’Ivoire. Mr. Zagbo has toured in Europe, Mexico, Australia, Spain, and the United States with the company. He was an artist-in-residence at the International Festival of Cerventino in Guanjuarto, Mexico, and a resident artist at the Festival de Theatre de Limoges, France. In addition to his work in dance, Mr. Zagbo is a master musician of the musical bow or dôdô ahoco. He is a graduate of the National Institute of Arts and Culture of Côte d’Ivoire. Find out more about Martin at: http://www.ozillyconnections.com/
MORIKEBA KOUYATE - SENEGAL - KORA
MORIKEBA KOUYATE
Morikeba’s story is a legend that began more than 700 years ago with his Ancestors. The Griot, or Jali, is the “Carrier of the Oral Tradition” and composed of Griot families among the Mandinka people. First of these families was the Kouyate family. Those histories and oral traditions were, and still are, passed down from generation to generation for hundreds of years. There are very few families left, but they can be recognized by their last names: Kouyate, Suso, Djebate, Konte, Kanuteh, and Sako. To truly be a Griot, you have to be born into a Griot family. Morikeba Kouyate is known throughout West Africa for his electrifying performances and virtuosity with the traditional the Kora. The Kora is a 21- string instrument from the West African countries of The Gambia, Senegal, and Mali . It is an ancient instrument that is part of Africa’s rich spiritual music tradition. Morikeba Kouyate was born and raised into a family of Griots, or Jalis, in Bounkiling Senegal. He began his training at the age of eight and was performing professionally by the age of fourteen. He became successful and well-known for his expert storytelling and Kora playing. As a result of his success, Morikeba was given the opportunity to have his own radio program in Dakar, Senegal. His show was aired throughout Senegal and several other African countries. He also made numerous appearances on Senegalese television. Morikeba Kouyate has played before African royalty and the Presidents of several countries, including Senegal and The Gambia. Morikeba Kouyate is a recipient of a 2002 Illinois Arts Council grant for the Master-Apprentice Program; a 2003-2005 Illinois Arts Council Artstour artist; and a recipient of a 2003 City of Chicago, Department of Cultural Affairs Community Arts Assistance Program (CAAP) grant. Additionally, Morikeba has given workshops around the country and has taught/performed at Harvard, DePaul,Northwestern,Xavier, and many other universities . Mr. Kouyate performs year-round throughout the United States and currently resides in New Orleans. Find Mori on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Morikeba-Kouyate/76454637117
IBRAHIMA DIOUBATE - GUINEA - BALAFON
IBRAHIMA DIOUBATE
Ibrahima Dioubate was born In Guinea, West Africa. His lineage is Griot (oral historians) and all his family members are musicians and singers. He has been playing the balafon since he was seven years old along with the Djun‐Djun, Bolon, Krin, Bote and other traditional instruments. Ibrahima is a former member of Troupe Fatalla in the city of Conakry and Tempo Rhythmic directed by Mor Cire. He was the featured balafonist for the Gambia National Troupe and the Ballet Bougarabou in Senegal. Ibrahima managed and made balafons for his factory in Gambia. In Gambia he also had a music school called Sanyakunda and another in Senegal, called Karamba experience. He taught the Balafon, Djun‐Djun Drum and other percussion instruments to people from Germany, England, Japan, United States and other foreign countries. Ibrahima traveled with the company Ballet Bougarabou from Senegal. He is currently the music and historical consultant for Delou Africa Dance Ensemble where he teaches traditional West African music. Ibrahima created Delou Fatala in February 2006. Delou is a Wolof word from Senegal, West Africa meaning, “return to” and Fatala means “village". He is a member of Nag Champayons - Afro Caribbean Fusion group. His aspirations are to educate, enlighten and teach traditional West African music. Ibrahima believes that music is the universal language that unifies different cultures. You can find out more about Ibrahima at: http://www.deloufatala.com
TITOS SOMPA - CONGO - SONG & KALIMBA CLASSES
TITOS SOMPA
Originating from the Congo (Brazzaville), Titos Sompa is a charismatic and extraordinarily gifted performing artist, teacher, and healer. Mr. Sompa was the first to introduce the earthly and fluid Congolese style of simultaneous dancing and singing to America audiences. In the early 1970's, he and lead drummer, Coster Massamba, brought Congolese culture to the New York artistic
scene.
A renown dancer, choreographer, and musician, noted especially as
a master Congolese drummer, percussionist, and kalimba player, Mr. Sompa utilizes his multiple talents to make known and keep alive Congolese musical and cultural traditions that offer healing, spiritual grounding, and affirming community to the Western world.
He is a supremely gifted singer, composer, recording artist, choreographer, storyteller, artisan of African folk crafts, producer, director, trainer, and teacher. Mr. Sompa founded the first Congolese dance company (Tanawa Dance Company) in America. Seeing African culture as a sustaining force, Mr. Sompa has taken on the responsibility of preserving and passing on Congolese culture. His task involves dispelling all the ignorance, mythology and distortions about Africa, while he makes known the wisdom, variety, beauty, inspiration, and power of African cultures. Through spirituality, he enables people to tap into the power within the guidance of our ancestors.
Mr. Sompa is a powerful messenger with powerful gifts, which he shares through the performing, teaching, producing, and a variety of community-building activities. Mr Sompa is the Founder and Artistic Director of Mbongi Dance Theater Project. For more info: http://www.mbongivillage.org
scene.
A renown dancer, choreographer, and musician, noted especially as
a master Congolese drummer, percussionist, and kalimba player, Mr. Sompa utilizes his multiple talents to make known and keep alive Congolese musical and cultural traditions that offer healing, spiritual grounding, and affirming community to the Western world.
He is a supremely gifted singer, composer, recording artist, choreographer, storyteller, artisan of African folk crafts, producer, director, trainer, and teacher. Mr. Sompa founded the first Congolese dance company (Tanawa Dance Company) in America. Seeing African culture as a sustaining force, Mr. Sompa has taken on the responsibility of preserving and passing on Congolese culture. His task involves dispelling all the ignorance, mythology and distortions about Africa, while he makes known the wisdom, variety, beauty, inspiration, and power of African cultures. Through spirituality, he enables people to tap into the power within the guidance of our ancestors.
Mr. Sompa is a powerful messenger with powerful gifts, which he shares through the performing, teaching, producing, and a variety of community-building activities. Mr Sompa is the Founder and Artistic Director of Mbongi Dance Theater Project. For more info: http://www.mbongivillage.org
