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PRODUCER’S NOTE
By Kwevi Quaye
I have always wondered how western classical compositions will sound with elements of African drums, introduced into the texture of the composition. As I watched Rasaki Aladokun’s mastery of “The Talking Drum”, at a private function. I noticed the similarities of the compositional tendencies of Baroque classical music and the arrangements of the talking drum’s traditional sounds. This started an experimentation of African drums in western classical compositions.
Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons” was selected for this experimentation, because of its fluidity, gracefulness, and since in the majority of Vivaldi’s concertos, a single instrument is given prominence. In “The Four Seasons” concertos, this instrument is the violin. With Rasaki’s integration of the talking drum in Vivaldi’s composition, as a dialogue with the violin, it makes the talking drum/violin into one dominant instrument, as part of the concerto. The call and response style of the talking drum, creates a musical dialogue between various instruments, just as the violin concerto in Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” seem to have a conversation with the whispering spring and summer winds.
The inspiration for this musical experimentation, is an “Homage” to my grandfather, Stephen Falana, who was a classical violinist, pianist and jazz saxophonist, and one of the pioneers of African music. Throughout his tenure as a Bandleader from the 1940’s to the 1950’s, and his tutelage of budding Nigerian musicians of the 1960’s, such as Fela Anikulapo, Victor Uwaifo, E.C. Arinze, and his son, Michael Falana, who is still considered the best jazz trumpeter that Nigeria has ever produced, Mr. Falana’s legacy can still be seen on Africa’s music scene today.
First published in Diaspora Showcase Africa magazine, September 29, 2007
THE ARTISTS
Over the years, many notable and Grammy award-winning musicians have performed at the Diaspora Showcase Africa. From one of Africa’s classical composer, Kora Master/Cellist, Tunde Jegede, to seasoned saxophonist, Kerry Campbell, who played in numerous Grammy-Award records of Marvin Gaye, Snopp Dogg, Dr. Dre, Bobby Womack and more. Other featured artists, includes Percussionist Todd Hammes, Vocalist Michelle Coltrane, the incredible Senegalese Djembe drummer, Alioune Faye, Rasaki Aladokun, who is a Master of the Talking Drum, the sensational reggae vocalist, Lukie D, Guinea (Prince Diabate), Burkinafaso (Arouna Diarra), Ivory Coast (Yacouba Traore), and Senegal (Elijah Ndoye).
KORAS AND GUITARS
On September 18, 2021, Diaspora Showcase will present “Koras and Guitars” at Savoy Opera House in Tucson, Arizona, featuring Kora instrumentalist Karamo Susso, bassist Fernando Perdomo, classical guitarist Gabriel Ayala and singer-songwriter, Bumi Thomas. This musical performance will explore the acoustic interpretations of South Africa’s legendary singer, Miriam Makeba. Songs scheduled to be performed will include, “Thayani”, “Malaika”, “Ipapalazi”, “Hapo Zamani”, “Arican Sunset” and many of Miriam Makeba’s audience favorites. The show hosts are Victora L. Williams and London based singer-songwriter, Bumi Thomas.
KARAMO SUSSO
Karamo Susso grew up amongst the griots of his community in Mali, and began playing the kora before he was even big enough to hold it up by himself. He learned from griots in his own community and family, who also happened to be legendary kora players like his uncle Ballake Sissoko, and his neighbor Toumani Diabete. He has since become an internationally renowned player, perfoming throughout West Africa, and teaching at the Institute Nationale des Artes in Bamako, Mali. He has toured with Salif Keita, Toumani Diabate, Youssou N’Dour, Vieux Farka Toure, and he was the Composition Director for The Gambian National Cultural Ensemble.
FERNANDO PERDOMO
In 2015, Perdomo was in the core band for “Echo In The Canyon”, an all star concert at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles, where the band backed up Jakob Dylan, Fiona Apple, Regina Spektor, Cat Power and Jade Castrinos, performing songs from the California Folk Rock Era. By 2019, The Documentary film “Echo In The Canyon” premiered in theaters and the official Soundtrack album was released on BMG records. Fernando appears in the film as the guitarist in the backing band, and he appears on every track but one, on the soundtrack album. He has produced over 100 songs, and has been a session musicians to many artists, including Jennifer Lopez, Benny More, Cristian Castro, Paulina Rubio, Emitt Rhodes and more.
JASON TAMBA
Jason Tamba’s musical journey started in the Democratic Republic of Congo, since the age of 7, when he made his own guitar.
He started teaching himself classical guitar, at an early age, and eventually earned a degree in Classical guitar. After playing with Papa Wemba for several years, Jason moved to South Africa, as a guitarist for the group Afro Fiesta that is widely considered innovators in the entertainment industry. He is part of “Playing For Change”, a project that connects the world through music. And has performed in more than 200 concerts with many notable artists, including Bono, Ziggy Marley, Peter Gabriel, Jackson Brown, Baba Maal, Rocky Dawuni and Toots and The Maytals.
YAMOUSSA BANGOURA
From 1998 to 2001, he began his professional career joining an african and european tour of the following show: “La légende dusinge tambourinaire.”
From 2002 to 2007, he created music, and perfomed as an acrobat, for Cirque Éloize’s “Nomade” show. He also joined the world’s tour. In 2010, he created music and choreography for the equestrian company Cavalia’s show “Odysséo”. He toured with them as well as an acrobat until 2013.
In 2013, he founded his own music group, Yamoussa Kora & A Thousand Colors, to explore on afro fusion inspired music, combined with several styles including afro jazz, afrobeat, new age and reggae.
In 2015, they became proud recipients of the bronze Syli prize’s Syli d’or competition organized by Productions Nuits d’Afrique in Montreal.
From 2016 to 2020, Yamoussa created, as a songwriter, composer and musician, their debut album. It was released in February 2017 as part of and named after the show “Afrique en Cirque” by the Kalabanté Productions since it is the soundtrack of the scenic creation. Yamoussa performed as the main character of the show.
In 2021, he created the one man show Kéliba which mixes music, circus, dance and theater.
Now he is starting on with a new band called Katala for 2021.
BUTCH DIGGS
Dr. Orville “Butch” Diggs, Saxophonist, Flautist, and Composer, is a Dentist, currently practicing in Tucson, and a former Department Chairman of the Dental Division at Kino Community Hospital. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for United Health Care/ Solstice Health, and he is also a mentor and advisor to the University of Arizona Pre-dental Honor Society. His current band, The Pyramid Project, consists of some of the finest Jazz and R&B musicians in Tucson: Joshua Sailor (bass) Chris Pena (Keyboards) Desmond New (drums) Phil Davis (guitar) Bubba Fass (percussion/congas). Together, they have created a unique blend of Jazz, R&B, Latin, and Funk, that has been delighting audiences.
Butch has worked or played with many notable artists, including Gary Bias (Earth, Wind and Fire), Patrice Rushen (WAR), Bishop Norman William, Chaka Khan, Gerald Albright, Paul Jackson, Jr. (guitarist for Michael Jackson and Luther Vandross), Kashif, Cheryl Cooley (Klymaxx), Jules Broussard (Santana), Stan Smith (composer of the music for the UPN shows “Let’s Stay Together” and “ Are we There Yet?”). He is the Principal Arranger of music for the 2015 Smithsonian Black History Month Cultural Presentation with video appearances on MTV and Showtime (with band “Question Men”). Recently, Butch opened for singer Eric Benet, and he has also performed with artist Prince Kudakwashe Musarurwa.
BUMI THOMAS
In 2011, she received the Womatt Best of British (BOB) Award for Best Solo Newcomer and was nominated for two BEFFTA awards, Best Female Act and Best Female UK Based Afro-Caribbean Act in 2012 and was nominated for AMAA Best Diaspora Act 2014. Her Debut EP ‘Feather Pearl’ was released in 2014. Her latest EP ‘Broken Silence’ released in June 2020 reached No 1 on the UK Itunes R&B charts, and was described as ‘Strikingly original’ by London “Jazz News” and ‘Visceral and Timely’ by The Sunday Times. The lead Single ‘Black Child’ was featured on BBC Radio 4 Loose Ends. Bumi was recently featured in BRITWEEK 2020, a platform that celebrates creativity and innovation between the United States and the U.K.