BiographyThe mission of The Bambara Drum And Dance Ensemble is to educate and preserve through music and dance the black aesthetic; from it's beginning in Africa to the present day and beyond, instilling traditional African cultural values, while bridging the cultural gap between people of all backgrounds and generations.
This unique company of "edutainers" has dazzled audiences throughout the United States performing challenging repertoires from West Africa, Central Africa, and Cuba. The Bambara Drum And Dance Ensemble encourages cross cultural understanding by celebrating traditional African culture. The company's energy and creative versatility, engages audiences and allows each individual to become one with this experience. The year 2002 was the turning point for this accomplished drum gout of African Americans. It was now time to expand. Joseph Barnes now felt the need to create a company that included dancers as well as drummers. His dream was to present African music and dance as a cultural enrichment for all. Jewel Love was then brought in as Artist Director, Noelani Love as Assistant Artistic Director and Adewole Love (original member of the Bambara Drumming Society) as musical Director to complete the leadership of what we now know as The Bambara Drum And Dance Ensemble.
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This highly skilled group of musicians went on to perform at New Jersey Perfoming Arts Center, the Goodwill Games in Central Park, Seton Hall University, Rutgers University, The Bronx Zoo, Millburn Theater in Maplewood N.J., and workshops throughout New York and New Jersey with Baba Chuck Davis. In 2001 this spectacular drum group had the opportunity to record music for Japan's airways. This opened the door for the Bambara Drumming Society to record their own CD "The Connection" which included an authentic representation of 13 rhythms from Mali and Guinea West Africa
The Bambara Drum And Dance Ensemble has performed with Community School District Four Arts-In-Education Programs throughout the East Harlem public school system in New York. The company has also performed at Newark Symphony Space, New Jersey City State University, Essex County Community Collge, Hostos Center For The Performing Arts, Cheyney University, Brooklyn Acadamy of Music, Long Island University Kumble Theater in Brooklyn, York College Performing arts Center, New York Museum Of Natural History, Aaron Davis Hall Marion Theater, NY 1 News, University of Bridgeport CT, Grants Tomb in New York, New Jersey Peroming Arts Center, The Tyra Banks Show WPIX T.V. and for numerous local, professional and civic organizations. The Bambara Drum And Dance Ensemble has evolved as a vessel for the Performing Arts and a voice for Afro-centric Culture. They continue to educate the consumers of the Tri-State Area with their vivid story telling through movement and sound. As the world continues to transform, The Bambara Drum And Dance Ensemble will stand strong and move forward with hands built for drums, feet carved for dancing and a mind body and spirit made for a mission to bridge the gap from Africa across the World. |