Rather than focusing on the fleeting, exciting moments that immediately precede the arrival of an orisha in the form of a possession trance, this thesis investigates the entire four- to six-hour musical performance that is central to the ceremony. It exam
In the context of bata drumming, polyrhythm means most of the toques may be written in 12/8 meter but have some drum parts that emphasize a 2, 4, or 8 feel while others simultaneously emphasize a 3, 6, or 12 feel.
internationally recognized percussionist, recording artist, and educator in Latin and Afrocuban music, Spiro's recording and performing credits include such diverse artists as David Byrne, Changuito, Ella Fitzgerald, David Garibaldi, Gilberto Gil, Giovann
BataMbira is a contemporary synthesis of folkloric musics from Zimbabwe and Cuba. Mbira (thumb piano) and bata (drums) blend unusually and vivaciously.
The congas are derived from the single-headed hand drums of the Congo (Bantú), above all the tambores makuta. n the comparsa, as well as in Rumba and early Son Montuno of the conjuntos, only a single tumbadora is played by one drummer. Congeros like Cand
As an Omó Añá and Olubatá, Ezequiel uses the batá drums to call forth 22 Orishas (deities) through a series of particular rhythms. He learned the complex tradition of batá drumming and Orisha chanting from the legendary Griots of these Afro-Cuban c
Performs music and dance from Yoruba, Orisha, Congo/Abakua/Arara, rumba guanguanco, son, danzon, mambo, yuka, comparsa, chancleta, and more folkloric dance of Afro-Cuban tradition.
Bata Ketu: A musical interplay between Cuba and Brazil, Bata Ketu tells the story of Yoruba music uprooted from Mother Africa, and transplanted to the New World. BataMbira: A musical interplay between mbira, fula (Peul) flute (aka/tambin), Bansari flute,
Michael Spiro is an internationally recognized percussionist with extensive knowledge of the history of Afro-Cuban music...Spiro has also studied annually in Cuba since 1981 with musicians like Jose Luis "Changuito" Quintanta and Juan "Claro" Blanco of Or
a documentary film that introduces viewers to the history of Afro-Cuban music and samples Cuba's current music scene. The film's producer/director, jazz saxophonist J. Plunky Branch, documents and highlights the musical collaborations of Afro-Cuban musici
Yaya Diallo of Mali and Montreal plays djembe and balafon. "This is not Yaya playing, but the ancestors playing through him." --Mali elders. Fula (Peul) flute (tambin) also heard here.