Adjei Abankwah Address: 1502 Upland Avenue, Boulder, CO 80304
Tel: 303-449-2671 Email: aabankwa@yahoo.com
http://www.charliesounds.com or http://www.baobaofest.com
Professional West African Dancer and Instructor. Adjei Abankwah was the choreographer and principal dancer with Ghana Dance Ensemble for 11 years. In addition to dancing, he is an accomplished musician and composer. He plays a number of traditional African instruments including the flute, xylophone, bass marimba, and the drums. Adjei Abankwah and Charlie Sounds are available for dance and music performances.
African Roots Address: 4700 Walnut St, Boulder, CO 80301
Tel: 303-449-4885 Email: africanroots@kgnu.org
http://www.kgnu.org/africanroots/index.html
Jitjive, Juju, Rai, Soukous, African jazz, Mbaqanga, Afro Caribbean rhythms and much more. AFRICAN ROOTS is one of 88.5 KGNU's long lasting international music shows, on the air for about 20 years. It continues to entertain and inform African music listeners every Saturday, 4 to 6pm. Hosted by Jill Rosenbloom, Joe de Cordoba, and Bill Nyerges.
Kwasi Ampene University of Colorado School of Music
Address: 301 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309
Tel: 303-492-6439 Email: kwasi.ampene@colorado.edu
http://stripe.colorado.edu/~ampene/
Kwasi specializes in music composition in oral cultures with emphasis on the Akan of Ghana, the sociology and aesthetics of music of Africa and the African Diaspora. He is also director of the University of Colorado Summer Program in Ghana and director of the African Ensemble Outreach Programs, which are funded by the University of Colorado Outreach Committee.
Boulder Valley Music Makers Contact: Bob Gailer
Address: 170 Forsythe Road, Nederland CO 80466-9623
Tel: 303-442-2625 Email: bgailer@alum.rpi.edu
Marimba classes and performances. Marimba building workshops.
Camp Merveilles
Address: 1721 Norwood Ave, Boulder, CO 80304
Tel: 303-402-1066 Email: fara@faratolno.com
http://www.faratolno.com
This annual three day summer camp is a school for dance, drum, and the exchange of cultural information and history of Guinea, West Africa. The staff consists of members of the national dance and drum ensemble, Merveilles de Guinea.
Chimanimani African Marimba Ensemble
Contact: Mary Ellen Garrett or Karen Marx
Address: PO Box 3254, Estes Park, CO 80517
Tel: 303-415-2770 (Mary Ellen) or 303-449-1774 (Karen)
Email: mellenmail@yahoo.com or marx@boulder.net
Music from Zimbabwe and South Africa on marimba, mbira, and drums.
Cleo Parker Robinson Dance
Address: 119 Park Avenue West, Denver CO 80205
Tel: 303-295-1759 Fax: 303-295-1328 Email: cleodance@aol.com
http://www.cleoparkerdance.org
Cleo Parker Robinson Dance presents the annual International Summer Dance Institute. Specialty dance classes include Collective Rhythms of the Drum, West African Dance and Egyptian Dance. We encourage participants to learn songs and rhythms as they relate to traditional dance and dances throughout the African Diaspora.
Conduit Tel: 303-494-5239 Email: contact@conduitmusic.net
http://www.conduitmusic.net/
Conduit connects artists with audience. As representative for a growing roster of the world’s finest musicians, we at Conduit endeavor to link our artists with thirsty-eared music aficionados eager to experience bold new sounds emanating from around the globe.
Boubacar Diabete & Dialy Kounda Tel: 720-329-4298
Senegal, Sabar Drum and Kora (21 string harp-lute) player, Boubacar has a CD of his Afro-pop band Dialy Kounda that features a blend of music styles woven into and supported by the Kora tradition. He is available to give cultural lectures and music demonstrations in schools and public events. Boubacar has recently released his second album "My Family" recorded in Senegal, West Africa with members of his family. It is traditional Jali Mandinkan music featuring Kora, Balafon, Ngoni and other Senegalese instruments and special guest Bela Fleck who is a renowned Banjo player.
Malang Diatta Tel: 720-327-3116
Senegal, Sabar Drum, and Guinea Dance. Malang has performed professionally in Senegal and now brings his immense knowledge of dance and choreography to Colorado. His classes and performances are full of energy and creativity. He is available to teach drumming, dance and to do performances. He teaches regular classes at Bantaba World Dance & Music.
Abdoul Doumbia Colorado College
Address: 14 E. Cache la Poudre Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Tel: 303-443-6913
Email: Abdoul@humansongs.com or adboul@djembe.boulder
http://www.humansongs.com/artists.htm or http://www.humansongs.com/abdoul.htm
Malian Master Drummer Abdoul Doumbia was called to the drum at the age of 5 and completed a 16-year apprenticeship under Master Drummer Moriba Keita. Instruction included all phases of technique, composition, harmonizing, teaching skills, drum making, repair, tuning, and knowledge of both traditional drum and dance. He now teaches and performs regularly across the United States and also organizes Cultural Tours to Mali on a regular basis.
Enkambum
Address: 1502 Upland Ave, Boulder, CO 80304
Tel: 303-449-2671 Email: enkambum@yahoo.com
Enkambum is a non-profit organization that came into formation in the fall of 2003. We are devoted to sharing and developing visions of community through artistic experiences of unity and togetherness.
Mary Ellen Cuthbertson Garrett
Address: PO Box 3254, Estes Park CO 80517
Tel: 303-415-2770 Email: mellenmail@yahoo.com
Shona music on mbira nyunga nyunga and dzavadzimu.
Gills Drum Community Contact: Keith Gill
Address: 6712 E 123rd Place, Thornton, CO 80601
Tel: (303) 450-1245
Since 1993, Gills Drum Community has been feeding the homeless in Civic Center Park in Denver from May through September. Last year they feed over 8000 people.
Helander Dance Theater Contact: Danelle Helander, Artistic Director
Address: The Dairy Center for the Arts, 2590 Walnut St, Boulder, CO 80302
Tel: 303-473-9438 Email: danelle@peakpeak.com
http://www.helanderdance.org/
Over the past seven years, HDT has emphasized cultural exchange and community assistance in the creation of new dance projects, such as the Mali Project 2001.
Human Songs c/o Rick Welty: HumanSongs Records
Address: 4279-C Monroe Drive, Boulder, CO 80303
Tel: 877-303-3122 Fax: 877-303-3122 Email: rick@humansongs.com
http://www.humansongs.com/
Human Songs features artists with folkloric and world beat music. We also offer and sponsor Mali Tours, Zimbabwe Tours, African Music Camps, Djembes and Mudcloths and The Mali Assistance Project.
Jaka Address: c/o Mountain High Music, P.O. Box 2351, Boulder, CO 80306-2351
Tel: 303-415-1958 Fax: 303-413-9150 Email: kelly@mtnhighmusic.com
http://www.jakamusic.com
Jaka is a World Beat dance band successfully blazing their own musical path. Three friends who originally began studying under master Zimbabwean musician and ethnomusicologist, Dumi Maraire, founded Jaka. The band's polyrhythmic, tasty world beat sound is a rich brew of the ancient mbira traditions of Zimbabwe and Congolese soukous, spiced with Caribbean rhythms and instruments.
Malang Jobarteh
Tel: 720-890-8106
Malang Jobarteh, Kora player from Senegal, West Africa, has come to join his brother Boubacar Diebate. These traditional Jali storytellers travel to schools and events to give cultural presentations and African musical demonstrations. Malang is available to teach private Kora lessons. He has several Koras that students can use or purchase.
Joda and Friends – African Dance South of the Sahara
Contact: Baba Adetunji Joda
Tel: 303-850-9265
http://www.afrikandance.com/index.htm
Baba Adetunji Joda, founder, master drummer and choreographer is from the country of Nigerian. He has been teaching and performing since 1974 and is the foundation of African dance, chant and drum in Colorado. The dances and drumming performed largely reflect the language and culture of the Yoruba people in the country of Nigeria. Joda and Friends are available for a variety of entertainment needs, ranging from dancing and drumming to providing an evening of African music. Baba Joda also teaches African Dance at Colorado Free University.
Kakes Studios
Address: 2115 Pearl Street, Boulder, CO 80302
Tel: 303-444-5353
Our studio offers a variety of instructors teaching classes such as capoeira, djembe, dounou, and West African dance.
Musa Konate and The Lost Tribe
Tel: 720-875-2195 Email: Balla_Moussa2002@yahoo.com
Booking Contact: Robert Oyugi
Tel: 303-415-1352 Email: ujama@interfold.com
Classic Afro Roots Pop
Kutandara Contact: Amy Stewart
Address: 5401 Western Avenue Suite B, Boulder, CO 80301
Tel: 303-443-2969 Email: info@kutandara.com
http://www.kutandara.com/
The Kutandara Center provides multicultural experiences for youth and adults that deepen their understanding of themselves, their communities, and cultures other than their own. In Kutandara Center programs, students and performers of all ages and abilities experience multicultural music, embrace their own musical creativity, and continue developing their musicianship shills. We offer learning opportunities in Zimbabwean-style marimba, African drumming, mbira dzavadzimu, and Shona language. The center also supports four professional music ensembles, the Kutandara Marimba Ensemble, Kutandara Center Student Ensemble, Shamwari Youth Marimba Ensemble and TAMBA! Youth Ensemble.
Victoria Lindsay Levine, Ph.D. See Academics section of the Directory
Low Flying Knobs Address: PO Box 18232, Boulder, CO 80308
Tel: 303-581-1056 Fax: 303-527-3278 Email: lowflyingknobs@comcast.net
All women’s Marimba Ensemble
Maputo Mensah & Mawuenyega Mensah with Logo Ligi Address: 616 West Dahlia Street, Louisville, CO 80027
Tel: 720-280-2242 or 720-565-1493 Email: logo_ligi@hotmail.com
http://www.logoligi.com/
http://www.maputomensah.com
Maputo and Mawuenyega specialize in Ghanaian dance, kpanlogo drum, djembe and African rhythms. These brothers are available for workshops, teaching and lectures around the community. They also direct Logo Ligi, a traditional African dance and drumming ensemble. Before coming to Boulder, both worked for the Akrowa Dance Ensemble in Ghana with Maputo as the lead dancer and principal choreographer and Mawuenyega as the principal drummer. They teach regular classes at Bantaba World Dance & Music.
Scott Parker Mast Address: 3170 Eastwood Court, Boulder, CO 80304
Tel: 303-523-4792 Email: scottmast@hotmail.com
Scott has been studying African Percussion in the United States and abroad for over 10 years, including 3 months in Zimbabwe. He has studied extensively with a host of Master Drummers from Africa. Private lessons are available.
Donna Mejia Colorado College
Address: 14 E Cache la Poudre Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Tel: 303-690-2545 Email: dmejia@coloradocollege.edu
http://www.silvestrelink.com/donna.htm
Donna is a choreographer, teacher, and performer specializing in dances of the African Diaspora. She served as managing director of the award-winning Harambee African Dance Ensemble of CU-Boulder for 12 years. After two years as managing director of Boulder's Dance West, Donna accepted a faculty position at Colorado College. She continues to teach, choreograph and perform Modern dance, Hip Hop, Jazz and traditional dances of the African Diaspora for Colorado College. She also directs an international dance festival during the summer at Colorado College. The dance festival has African Dance as an offering.
Oyoyo – An African Drumming Ensemble Contact: Emei Ezidinma
Tel: 303-750-8514 Email: Emisimports@aol.com
Oyoyo is a West African percussion ensemble consisting of Udo Okopide, Emei Ezidinma, Sondra Singer and Stephen Edwards. We offer traditional African drumming music and are the official musical group of African Awareness Expos, Inc.
Onye Ozuzu See Academics section of the Directory
Rhythm Adventures Contact: Andy Wuenschel, C.C.Ht.
Address: PO Box 681, Leadville, CO 80461
Tel: 719-486-7358
http://www.rhythmadventures.com/
Drumming, Hypnosis, and Meditation.
Djeneba Sacko Tel: 720-422-1838
Dancer from Mali, West Africa. Djeneba is a highly acclaimed dancer who is widely sought after to teach at national dance and cultural conferences. Locally, she teaches Malian dance at Bantaba World Dance & Music. Together with Abdoul Doumbia, she is available to perform West African dance with her performance troupe for schools and cultural events.
Shamwari Address: 5401 Western Ave, Suite B, Boulder, CO 80301
Tel: 303-443-2969 or 303-579-3283 Fax: 303-664-4778
Email: info@kutandara.com
http://www.kutandara.com
To its audience’s delight, Shamwari performs southern African music on mbira, marimba, percussion, and drum set. With the energy and enthusiasm only a group of kids could bring, Shamwari enthralls its audiences with the skill and professionalism of a band beyond its years. Our youth classes also provide an opportunity for young students to learn music experientially while learning about a variety of African cultures.
Sifa! Sifa! Contact: David Mporampora
Address: c/o CHRISTaid, Inc., P.O. Box 101193, Denver, CO 80250
Tel: 303-337-1833 Fax: 303-696-7629 Email: david@christ-aid.org
http://www.christ-aid.org/sifa_sifa.htm
Our group is composed of 30 singers, praise dancers and musicians from Africa, and at least 20 Denver area churches. We celebrate worship using the cultural authenticity of Africa. This we do by playing African praise music and dance, and by sharing some great testimonies of how missionaries have been used by God to make a difference in Africa. We transport everyone on a safari of praise, into an adventure of energetic, lively and anointed music...all in the languages and rhythms of Africa.
Papis Sissoko
Tel: 720-629-0567 Email: papis-sekou@yahoo.com
Papis Sissoko is a keyboard musician from Senegal, West Africa. This highly talented keyboardist plays many styles of music including African popular styles. He travels with the Diebate brothers and is available for private lessons.
Nii Armah Sowah
Boulder, CO
http://www.1000-voices.com
Community African singing classes. Also see Academics section.
Tobatana Marimba Ensemble
Contact: Emil Rinaldi
Address: 3847 West 103 Drive, Westminster, CO 80031
Email: erinaldi@msn.com
http://www.TobatanaMarimba.org
Tobatana is acoustic marimbas playing spirited, upbeat, "dance and trance" music. Tobatana performs their interpretation of traditional music from Zimbabwe with reverence to the original melodies and rhythms. Tobatana Marimba Ensemble is a nonprofit corporation.
Zebra Marimba Contact: Bonnie Carol
Address: 15 Sherwood Road, Nederland, CO 80466
Tel: 303-258-7763 Email: bonnie@bonniecarol.com
http://www.bonniecarol.com/hirebonnie.html#ZebraMarimba
The centerpiece instruments of the group are the marimbas (five of them). Then add a few more mysterious African instruments - the mbira, conga, and hosho. Stir it up and you've got Zebra Marimba. With our stage decor and show it's an event you will not soon forget. So . . . let these crazy cross rhythms transport your thoughts and set your feet to flappin'.