LES TAMBOURS DU SENEGAL ET DU MALI
NEW YORK CITY ACOUSTIC AFRICAN MUSIC SERIES FEATURED
ARTIST, MAMADOU GUISSÉ AND HIS ENSEMBLE BAKH YAYE PRESENT
WINTER DJEMBE FÊTE, AN EVENING OF DJEMBE AND ASIKO MUSIC,
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13, 8:30PM & 10:30 PM

Where’s the 1? Productions welcomes master musician Mamadou Guissé, Music Director of the Maimouna Keita School of African Dance and his 8-member drum ensemble, Bakh Yaye, to the first annual Winter Djembe Fête. The Acoustic African Music Series has featured the music of Mali on several occasions; however, this is the first performance solely dedicated to Mali’s drum ensembles and virtuoso drummers. Mr. Guissé and Bakh Yaye will perform social and ritual djembe drumming as well as little-known asiko music from Gorée Island, the infamous slave fortress off the coast of Dakar, Senegal. Winter Djembe Fête is dedicated to the awe-inspiring and relentless rhythms and songs of the djembe and its family of drums.

In both his playing and teaching, Mamadou Guissé demonstrates profound respect for oral history and the spiritual aspects of drum and drum instruction. Born in Dakar, Senegal, he began his musical training with his grandmother, Maimouna Keita. Although Keita, originally from Mali, was not teaching him the technical aspects of djembe drumming (it was rare at that time for a woman to do so), she taught him the songs, dances, history, and rhythms of Mali, including spiritual and healing practices. Mr. Guissé considers this equally important. By the age 16, he was performing professionally in dance companies throughout Senegal, and at 21 he had joined Mandingue Epac Dance Company, one of the largest in Senegal. Three years ago, Mr. Guissé came to the United States to become Lead Drummer and Music Director of Maimouna Keita School of African Dance, founded 20 years ago by his mother Marie Basse-Wiles.

Bakh Yaye consists of musicians from West Africa and the United States, many of whom are also instructors at Maimouna Keita School of African Dance. According to Mr. Guissé, "Bakh Yaye" has several meanings. It means someone who has come from a good mother, a mother who has raised them well. It also means someone who has pleased their mother in their life. He explains, "In our culture, if you make your mother proud, do good things in her eyes, and she prays for you, it is one of the most powerful forces behind you that you can have in your life."

Bakh Yaye will feature four drums of the djembe family: djoun-djoun, sanbang, kinkine, and djembe. These drums range in pitch and timbre from deep and resonant to high and piercing. Djoun-djoun, considered the mother of the family, is responsible for keeping time and creating the backbone melodic ostinato. The sanbang and kinkine, both considered to be the children, play the middle and highest pitched sounds, respectively. The djembe is considered the father of the family. Within the ensemble, there are usually several backing djembe parts, and multiple djembe soloists. As a family, these drums create sophisticated musical conversations and a matrix of heart-pounding rhythms. According to Mr. Guissé, the djembe ensemble was traditionally used for communication between villages; therefore, the vocalists of Bakh Yaye and their songs are integral to the music.

Asiko refers to both the drums and the rhythm that were played by slaves held on Gorée Island, a fortress used by European slave traders as a holding area and prison for slaves on their way to the Americas. It was the last part of the Eastern Hemisphere that millions of Africans saw. Asiko music developed on the island, and is a little-known collection of songs about freedom.

Where’s the 1? Productions was founded to promote traditional musics from across Africa and to seeing this music established as the beautiful, sophisticated, relevant, and living music that it is. Each installment is dedicated to a different music and musician, providing a unique performance opportunity and giving musicians the freedom to play the ritual, social, joyful, and ceremonial music of their countries and regions.

All shows are held at the Cornelia Street Café, 29 Cornelia Street between Bleeker and West 4th. Located at the West 4th subway stop, please call for reservations and information: (212) 989-9319. Show times are 8:30 PM and 10:30 PM, with doors opening 15 minutes prior. Tickets are $12 at the door, plus a $6 drink minimum.