[Carl]

Ok, serious question here.

What experiences have people had with avant garde approaches to the djembe?

Now just to be a bit elitist, I am not thinking about interesting applications of the djembe by non djembe players, or players who are not "classically trained" in the tradition. I'm looking for serious players from the tradition who are performing non-traditional music with the djembe. Specifically players who are pushing the envelope on music in general, not just sitting in with a jazz band or classical group. I mean seriously aggressive music!

To give you an idea of what I have in mind here is a classical percussionist performing what I would call avant garde music...



The only example on the djembe that comes to mind is Adama Drame, I'm not sure which cd it's on, but there are a few tracks with him playing djembe against music made by "pieces of metal" that he liked the sound of. Anyone know the CD and track? (shame that I'm doing this at work without my library...)

I've heard Famoudou talk about bringing this approach to his playing, but I've never seen him perform or heard any recordings of him taking this approach.

Thoughts?

C

[bops]

Adama Drame pushes the envelope more than anyone.

Sindi is the album you're thinking of, pretty much all of the tracks are him playing jembe and various metallic instruments. If you like that, definitely check out Autres Contacts (avec les Percussions de Strasbourg), also featuring Adama Drame. It's by far the most abstract application of traditional jembe language.

[Carl]

Oh. Hell Yeah!



Exactly what I was looking for! (just listened to previews on Amazon)
Goes straight to #3 on my must have list! (after Mamady's DVD and Alisco Diabate's CD)

Gotta re-head some more drums so I can have some extra cash!

C

[e2c]

I really love Adama Dramé's work, traditional and non. His melodicism, subtlety, touch, approach to dynamics and tonal color put him right up there (imo) with the greatest - from any tradition.

I would love to see and hear more people who know the "roots" style(s) doing innovative things with it. (And can also see huge possibilities for similar things with the duns and bells...)

[Rhythm House Drums]

I just purchased Sindi, thanks to this post. I love it!!

Just wanted to chime in with that. It's replaced Abdoul Doumbia's Denbaya in my cd player for the time being...