In
2009 numerous Jumbie Records ensembles engaged in workshops and
residencies with students in public schools, colleges and universities.
As part of its US tour, the Saakumu Dance Troupe
worked with students at Williams College, Gustavus Adolphus College,
Ithaca College - introducing them to traditional dance and music of
Ghana.
At Oakland University, members of Biakuye organized "World Percussion Day,"
consisting of six workshops and an evening concert. This powerful event
brought together seven master drummers, from a wide-range of percussion
traditions, to consider the vital role of rhythm in our world. Click
here to watch a short video from the event.
In a special dual residency at West Virginia State University, both Imaginary Homeland and the Bernard Woma Ensemble
presented a series of concerts and workshops for high school and
college students, focused on American jazz, African xylophone music,
and innovative new compositions combining the two. Student band members
workshopped a new version of David Rogers' composition "The World Is
Not Your Home," and later joined the musicians from both bands onstage
for a hip-shaking dance conclusion to the final concert.
Back in
New York City, Jumbie artists reached out to the immigrant Guinean
community in the wake of a coup followed by a massacre and an
assassination attempt on the president. The US Guinean community staged
several large, energetic rallies. Jumbie partner Raul Rothblatt
organized a musical event in Harlem featuring Jumbie artists Kakande. This was a powerful moment for music to play a unifying
role, and Kakande contributed a much-needed note of joy to a highly
charged situation. It was a proud moment for Kakande to stand with all
of the regions and ethnic groups of Guinea to work for democracy and
peace.
Watch a YouTube video of Kakande at the concert for peace and unity in Guinea here.
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