Ewe drumming is very diverse and is played in many slightly different ways here and in West Africa as well. The example here is played by Ewe master drummer CK Ladzepko from Ghana.   An Ewe musician from Togo may play a piece or instrument slightly differently from the way an Ewe from Ghana does. The Fon people of Benin also play and perform this music. They construct their villages, towns, [...]]]> http://michaelpluznick.com/2010/06/01/m-master-performs-in-mossood-park-oakland-california-part-1/feed/ 2 http://michaelpluznick.com/2010/05/16/fundamental-bembe-for-yemaya-yemaja-at-padrino-pedros-in-san-jose-california-may-16-2010/ http://michaelpluznick.com/2010/05/16/fundamental-bembe-for-yemaya-yemaja-at-padrino-pedros-in-san-jose-california-may-16-2010/#comments Mon, 17 May 2010 04:23:39 +0000 admin http://michaelpluznick.com/?p=1023 function startGallery_40() { var myGallery = new gallery($("myGallery_40"), { timed: true, showCarousel: true, showInfopane: true, showArrows: true, embedLinks: true, slideInfoZoneOpacity: 0.80, delay: 5000, defaultTransition: "fade", textShowCarousel: "Show/Hide Thumbnails" }); document.getElementById("myGallery_40").style.display = "block"; myGallery.toggleCarousel(); } window.addEvent("domready", startGallery_40); David Frazier legendary Bay Area drummer and Bata player

Bata Fundamental Bembe at Padrno Pedro\'s house in San Jose, California May 16th 2010

throne (throno) for Yemaya (Yemaja)

Oshun (Buddhas) Shrine

Dragon hanging from Thailand

mother and child reunion

Bata master Carlos Aldama from Cuba with Michael Pluznick, Padrino Pedro De Jesus, Chris \"Flaco\" Walker and David Frazier

bata

more bata

igbodu (opening ceremony) on bata only

playing bata

Padrino playing itotole

Iya or \"mother \" drum

Chris Flaco Walker

Michael Pluznick, Chris walker and David Frazier 1

Michael Pluznick, Chris walker and David Frazier 2

after party

A good time was had by all at this epic event and Orisha community drum and dance celebration1

Barabajaba Percussion ensemble from the Big Island of Hawaii specialises in world percussion, ethnic drumming including djembe, west african, afro cuban, afro haitian, brasilian (brazilian) percussion

Barabajaba Percussion ensemble from the Big Island of Hawaii specialises in world percussion, ethnic drumming including djembe, west african, afro cuban, afro haitian, brasilian (brazilian) percussion

Barabajaba Percussion ensemble from the Big Island of Hawaii specialises in world percussion, ethnic drumming including djembe, west african, afro cuban, afro haitian, brasilian (brazilian) percussion

Barabajaba Percussion ensemble from the Big Island of Hawaii specialises in world percussion, ethnic drumming including djembe, west african, afro cuban, afro haitian, brasilian (brazilian) percussion

Barabajaba Percussion ensemble from the Big Island of Hawaii specialises in world percussion, ethnic drumming including djembe, west african, afro cuban, afro haitian, brasilian (brazilian) percussion

Barabajaba Percussion ensemble from the Big Island of Hawaii specialises in world percussion, ethnic drumming including djembe, west african, afro cuban, afro haitian, brasilian (brazilian) percussion

‪http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/barabajaba‬ This video is: Barabajaba Live in Puna: “Maracatu” w/Lisa Dixon and her Brasilian dance group. Taken at a performance @ Kalani resort in Puna (Pahoa) Hawaii and features Brazilian drum and dance with Boaz Hashimoto Martin playing lead drum *(quinto) or solo.

Raphael, Michael P and Bolokada perform live in Bolinas California

Master djembe drummer Bolokada Conde performs live

Bolokada Conde \"Djembe Fola\" (master drummer) performing as only he can.

Bolokada Conde \"Djembe Fola\" (master drummer) performing as only he can live in Mill Valley California with our group percussion Melenke

Bolokada Conde \"Djembe Fola\" (master drummer) performing as only he can live in Mill Valley California with our group percussion Melenke

Bolokada Conde \"Djembe Fola\" (master drummer) performing with traditional village head gear

the amazing Rafe plays djembe!

The amazizng and wonderful Nabe Bangoura teaches west african dance class in Hawaii

The amazizng and wonderful Nabe Bangoura teaches west african dance class in Hawaii

West African dacner at show performs amazing african dance

West African dacner at show performs african dance in Mill Valley California with Les Percussion de Melenke

iMichael Pluznick performs in Mill Valley California with Les Percussion de Melenke

Mohamed Kouyate Balaphone master and Griot performs in Mill Valley California with Les Percussion de Melenke

Michael Pluznick performs on Big Island of Hawaii

djembe drumming

Nabe Bangoura performs Guinea West African dance in Mill Valley California with Les Percussion de Melenke

dancer and drummer in performance in Mill VAlley California with Les Percussion Melenke

Nabe Bangoura dancing

Nabe Bangoura dancing and teaching dance class in San Francisco California

Nabe Bangoura teaching dance class in HAwaii

Nabe and Zomina at dance class in San Francisco California

legendary and incredible Karamba Diabate @West African Dance class at Malonga Center in downtown Oakland California (formerly Alice Arts Center)

legendary and incredible Karamba Diabate @West African Dance class at Malonga Center in downtown Oakland California (formerly Alice Arts Center)

Mohamed Kouayte griot and balaphone player

Mohamed Kouayte griot and balaphone player

Les Percussion Meleke ;west african drumming and dance

Les Percussion Meleke ;west african drumming and dance

Nabe Bangoura dancer

Nabe Bangoura dancer and teacher teaching class

Nabe Bangoura dancer performing live west african dance

Bolokada Conde master drummer and band leader

West African drummer and dancer photos from live performances of Les Percussions Melenke (Bolokada Conde’s troupe in Bay Area of California) and dance classes featuring master djembe drummer and djembe fola Bolokada Conde, Nabe Bangoura (dance master teacher) and more! West African drummer and dancer photos from live performances and dance classes featuring master djembe drummer and djembe fola Bolokada Conde, Nabe Bangoura and more!

Master Bira our folkloric Brasilian drum, dance, and song teacher performs authentic Brazilian rhythms and demonstrates proper technique for pandeiro at school in Bahia Brasil.

MJ: Michael, when did you begin your journey of traveling to indigenous countries to learn about their drumming (music) traditions and culture?

MP: When I was 10 my parents took me to Puerto Rico island. This is more of a mixed or ‘altered’ culture. Spanish people and African slaves mixed with caucasian ancestory. Anyway, that was the start of me experiencing a different culture. Very different then middle class suburban [...]]]> http://michaelpluznick.com/2010/03/05/interview-of-michael-pluznick-by-maria-johannesen/feed/ 2 http://michaelpluznick.com/2010/02/21/mali-sweet-didadi-music-drums-and-beautiful-chants/ http://michaelpluznick.com/2010/02/21/mali-sweet-didadi-music-drums-and-beautiful-chants/#comments Sun, 21 Feb 2010 22:17:10 +0000 admin http://michaelpluznick.com/?p=603

http://www.earthcds.com/africa/west/mali

Didadi is a rhythm that can be used by young people to compete at festivals and celebrations. Didadi can be played for the expected arrival of an important person or at end-of-the-year holidays. Some say it originates from the Bougouni circle , of Mali’s Sikasso region. The didadi is also organized during the end of the year holidays. What many of us know as a dunun (double sided drum) is here called [...]]]> http://michaelpluznick.com/2010/02/21/mali-sweet-didadi-music-drums-and-beautiful-chants/feed/ 2 http://michaelpluznick.com/2010/02/18/sunset-world-latin-jazz-high-on-a-bangkok-roof-top/ http://michaelpluznick.com/2010/02/18/sunset-world-latin-jazz-high-on-a-bangkok-roof-top/#comments Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:50:13 +0000 admin http://michaelpluznick.com/?p=432

Sunset from high atop a rooftop in Bangkok Thailand. Music by MIchael Pluznick and Joel Lindheimer from the new world jazz / smooth jazz and percussion CD, “Miles Dean”

http://www.earthcds.com/africa/west/m…

Babara Bangoura (grren shirt), Abou Camara (white shirt) and friends. Fantastic Balaphone, djembe & dunun players in Conakry, Guinea, West Africa. Rehearsing for a big Spectac. A real “djembe lesson” to watch for all who love to learn djembe or like djembe class! Shot on my study trip to Guinea.

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