Category: Music & Travel
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My trip to Cuba in 1985
In 1985 my friend Jerry had found out about a special artists cultural tour expedition to a jazz fest in Veradero Cuba. In those days people had not yet started traveling to Cuba to study. A few had gone but not many. I did not have the money to go and I knew this was… Read More »
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Studying Drumming In Mali Part #2
Part #2 An excerpt from my upcoming book When I was living and studying in Mali I would call a taxi in advance to deliver me and pick me up for my drum and dance classes. This was only partially effective. Often they simply would not show up on the return leg and it was… Read More »
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My First Trip To Mali Part #1
My first trip to Mali West Africa happened as a fast last minute decision. I had a good friend living there studying guitar from Maui, Hawaii who had been asking and inviting me to come for quite some time. I had been playing in a music trio in Amsterdam and our time had ended in… Read More »
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West African Inspired Dance Classes From Guinea In South Florida
Isis Olmos is now visiting Florida. She is originally from Mexico and has lived and studied extensively in Guinea, West Africa with several of todays leading dance teachers and performance groups. She is in Florida now and we are forming classes and workshops through out the state. Isis is not only a gifted dancer but a… Read More »
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Sifiso dances @ Durban Beach Show South Africa
Please check out this amazing child dancer from South Africa moving and grooving. I have never seen anything quite like it! What do you think? Sifiso dances @ Durban Beach Show South Africa Read More »
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Rumba in Havana, 1985 with Raices Profunda w/Juan Diaz
This is a classic rumba video from my vault. It features the group, “Raices Profunda” (Deep Roots) from Havana Cuba. The dance and drum rhythm is called rumba columbia. Read More »
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Video: Raices Profunda (Deep Roots) Perform Dance and Bata Drums for Oshun in Cuba 1985
This is a video clip of a dance performance we witnessed in Havana, Cuba in 1895 when I went there to study traditional Afro Cuban drumming. The group performing is called, Raices Profunda or “Deep Roots” in english. This is a dance for the Orisha Oshun. The drummers are playing bata drums from the Yoruba… Read More »
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The First Asian Rhythm Facilitators’ Conference (1ARFC) is happening!
This is the first opportunity ever for people who work with rhythm to come together in Asia to network, discuss our knowledge and experience, share our “rhythmical spirit”, and (best of all) have crazy fun together in a tropical setting at one of Malaysia’s best beaches. (Did somebody say “Late night”?) Read More »
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Djembe drum and percussion workshop with Michael Pluznick in Arambol Goa this winter
In December I will be teaching a very fun and relaxed two week workshop in West African drumming, djembe, dununs and “non competitive” drumming for all levels in the very beautifu, peaceful and exotic village of Arambol , Goa, India. All levels of drummers are welcomed and you do not have to take the entire… Read More »
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Camp Fareta West African Dance and Drum Camp 2011 -Youssouf Koumbassa and Mamady Keita!
If you have been looking for a summer activity or always wanted to do a drum intensive or simply experience West African drumming, dance and music and can’t make it all the way to West Africa here is the next best thing, African dance camp. Not only do you get to drum and dance as… Read More »
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Studying West African drumming in Mali part one
My first trip to Africa was to Mali ,West Africa. I was always scared to go to Africa even though all my friends and students had already gone and the reports were always very positive. I was scared of getting sick. I heard the horror stories of people getting sick there, the poor hospitals, bad… Read More »
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Studying in Guinee Part 1
Many people often ask me “what was it like to study and travel in Guinee”? And “where did you like better Guinee or Mali”? I love both places to study and live but for different reasons. In Guinee I stayed with the late great Kemoko Sano and his family at his compound in Merveilles. I… Read More »