Archive for the ‘Djembefola newsletter’ Category

Djembe news in June

Saturday, July 3rd, 2010

This is the monthly djembefola.com newsletter, which is emailed to subscribers every month. If you’re not already on the list, why not sign up now!

Hi Djembe lovers,
We’ve got a great newsletter for you this month.
First of all don’t miss the chance to win a signed copy of Monette’s new album, Coup d’Eclat. All you have to do is give us some feedback about what you’d like to see more of in the newsletter and on the djembefola.com in general.

We also have a video interview with Master Djembefola, Amara Kante from Guinea, a great new article about how to choose a djembe and much more.

Interview with Master djembefola – Amara Kante

Amara Kante is a unique Guinean djembe master who was born in the Ivory Coast. As such he has a wide range of knowledge across many ethnic groups and musical styles.

He was kind enough to do an interview with me and my friend Pierrot, after a brilliant workshop he gave here in the South of France. I have to say this was the most challenging workshop I’ve ever done and his knowledge goes very deep.

Amara is a passionate traditionalist and this is definitely worth checking out, click here to check it out..

This one’s in French folks, but there will soon be subtitles soon, so check back if your don’t speak Francais!

A guide to choosing a djembe


Paddy, a regular contributor to djembefola.com, has put together a really detailed, illustrated guide for buying a djembe.

Whether you are buying your first djembe, or considering buying your 10th drum at some point in the future, everyone can learn something from this article.

New Artists Section

Due to positive feed back and a need to better organise our artist’s biographies, we have created a new ‘djembe artists section’. Our ever hard working Bubudi has also added 5 new biographies for us to enjoy. I really enjoy reading these and learning more about the masters who’s music we enjoy so much.

Media of the Month

Each month we present some great videos that have been shared by the community.
This month we present:
- A clip from Mamady Keita’s 50th years of career tour.
- Another Fantastic Sewa Kan Video, that even my girlfriend likes
- Barbara Bangoura teaches KeiKei

…till the next time

That’s it for this month folks. Don’t forget to give us your feed back and be in with a chance to win Monette’s great new CD.

If you found this newsletter interesting, why not share it with a friend and if you were forwarded this newsletter, why not sign up now.
Until next time, happy drumming!
James

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Djembe News – for May

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010

Welcome to another edition of the djembefola.com newsletter.

This month we have an interview with Monette Marina-Keita, wife of legendary Mamady Keita., and we also review some of the best djembe videos on the web.

This month we introduce 2 new features on the newsletter. Read up on the great masters and prodigies of West African drumming and dance on the Biography of the Month. Then learn about traditions and culture in West Africa in the Cultural Focus.

Interview with Monette Marino-Keita
Last month, I interviewed Monette Marino-Keita a great American percussionist who has a lot of professional experience playing djembe. She spends a lot of time travelling the world with her husband, djembe legend Mamady Keita. She helps him to teach workshops and they perform regularly.

Monette has just released her first album Coup d’Eclat, which is getting rave reviews and features Mamady Keita on many tracks. I too can vouch for its awesome funkyness. Coup d’Eclat can be purchased from Amazon and cd baby.

Monette is a lot of fun, and I personally found this interview very insightful you can watch it here.

Media of the Month

Here is a selection of the best djembe media this month:
- Nansady Keita has released a new CD, Farafina Sangbarala.
- Adama Drame has released a documentary film, A Griot’s Story.
- Kerfala ‘Fana’ Bangoura launches his debut CD.
- Naby Camara releases an exciting new Balafon instructional DVD.
- Nansady Keita gives us an insight into his life in his short documentary, “That’s Why I Love It“.

Cultural Focus
This month we looked at the Djole mask dance and its origins. We also feature a rare video of the mask and dance. Be sure to have a look.

Featured in the forum
The rhythm of the month discussions are underway. We are studying Yankadi this month.

We have some great personal insights from many of our members into what life lessons the djembe has taught them.

We have a great discussion going on the amazing dununba rhythms.

Biography of the Month
Zoumana Dembele is one of the most promising djembefolas to come out of West Africa. Read more about him.

Posted in Djembefola newsletter, Interviews | 1 Comment »

Djembefola Newsletter for April

Thursday, April 1st, 2010

Hi Djembefolas, we have a great newsletter this month with 2 insightful interviews.

We are really excited to be working with DrumSkull Drums, our new sponsor, who are well known for having the highest quality drums, media and accessories.

We are also delighted to be able to give away a $50 Drumskulls gift voucher. Entry is quick, free and easy, click here to find out how you can enter or click here to forward this to a friend.

Interview with Michael Taylor
Michael Taylor from Holy Goat percussion is a djembefola and djembe teacher based in Chicago. He is a long time student of Mamady Keita and is currently the director of Tam Tam Mandingue Chicago.

Michael has been around since the early days of djembe interest in Chicago and the birth of Tam Tam Mandingue. This interview covers a wide range of topics including how to become a better player and the existence of the 7 secrets of the djembe.

Michael also gives us a lot of details on what Tam Tam Mandingue is, why it came about and what it hopes to achieve. Michael also gives a lot of detail about Tam Tam Mandingue certification.

Click here to watch the interview

Interview with Mory Traore
Djembefola.com interviewed Mory Traore who is a Guinean dancer and teacher based in Sydney Australia.

Click here to read the interview.

Media of the Month
- A new Sege Sidibe instructional book, cd and DVD is creating a lot of excitement at the moment.

- We would like to highlight this great collection of Burkina style djembe videos

- Monette Marino Keita, percussionist and wife of Mamady Keita, releases her much anticipated new album.

Featured in the Forum
- The rhythm of the month is on again, and this month we will be studying Soli Rapide.

- Michi gives us a touching insight into how the djembe has changed his life.

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Djembefola – February Newsletter

Monday, February 22nd, 2010

Greetings djembe lovers…

If you are not already subscribed to our monthly newsletter, you can keep up to date with the latest news reviews, give aways and interviews by clicking here to subscribe.

Already a month has passed, this is February’s newsletter updating you with everything that’s happening on djembefola.com and the djembe world in general. You’re receiving this email because you subscribed via our web site, but you may unsubscribe at any time.

Mamady Keita djembe talk (part 2)
We are happy to announce the release of part 2 of a 2 hour djembe performance and discussion with Mamady Keita. Click here to check it out.

Fadouba Oulare has passed away
The djembe world is rocked and saddend by the loss of one of it’s great modern masters, Fadouba Oulare. Fadouba had been sick in hospital in Conakry for some time, and last week we got news that Fadouba has passed away.

No longer to be heard live, his family could be supported by buying his CD that was recorded in 2006 and released in 2008.

Rhythm of the month
December saw the start of a very exciting initiative that now takes place on the forum, the “Rhythm of the month“.

Last month we looked at Mendiani and there has been a huge amount of great discussion, notation, mp3 and video samples shared by the community.

This month we have been studying lamban (Jelifoli) and there has been a great exchange so far.
Click here to take part

Featured in the forum
Traditional djembe, what’s the point?
Biography & great videos of Soungalo Coulibaly

Media of the month
Susu Rhythms
Malinke (a new DVD from Famoudou Konate)

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Mamady Keita Djembe performance and workshop in Dublin Ireland

Tuesday, July 7th, 2009

Ireland has been a bit deprived of serious djembe action since the dawn of time…

This is true no more, because (hold on to your seats folks) on the 24th of this month (July ’09) mega-djembefola Mamady Keita is coming to town.

djembe-dor-conakry-mamadie-keita-djembefola-4

Brian and Robbie are making a list and checking it twice and Mamady will certainly know if you’ve been naugty or nice.
He’ll be lashing out KAs and KEs to all the good little boys and girls who’ve been drilling their chops and man I can’t wait!

This is not a workshop to be missed. The workshop is priced at 55 euros a head and this is scandalously cheap for a Mamady Keita workshop.

Mamady must have more experience at teaching Westies than any other Guinean. I have it on good authority that this has lead him to know the material and delivery of such really well…

I’ve been assured that Mamady won’t be pitching at a beginners level and hopefully the level will be above entry level.

So djembe program is below:

  1. Friday 24th July at 9pm – la spectac in the button factory…
    • Mamady and Monette
    • Wassa Wassa – who are a band who’ve been working hard for a long time…
  2. Saturday 25th of July at 11am – An audience with Mamady…
  3. Saturday 25th of July at 1.30pm – 4.30pm - A workshop with Mamady…

There are loads of other performances and workshops on for the BigBangFestival and it’s a great opportunity to meet other drummers, get involved in the community and try out new styles of percussion without breaking the bank.

Check out the forum for some of the best Mamady Keita videos on the net.

In the mean time, a small taster – one of my all time favourite videos. This was shot at the end of one of his workshops in Japan:

Thanks to Manfred for the great photo of Mamady that he took on his fab trek.

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