Ainike

Ainike is a Toronto based ensemble rooted in the polyrhythmic, highly energetic music of Guinea, West Africa. Ainike bridges the ancient and modern, bringing together a broad array of musical talent from diverse stylistic vantage points. Ainik�s original sound is influenced by a modern and urban aesthetic, mixing traditional Guinean percussion instruments (djembe and dununs) with non-traditional instruments (guitar, bass, keys, sax) and arrangements.

Ainike brings not only intensity, fluid style, and originality to their music, but also, and perhaps most importantly, an unbridled passion for playing. Their captivating energy continues to inspire audiences throughout southern Ontario, their following deepening with each performance.

Ainike has been featured at:
� LuminaTO Festival at Harbourfront
� Afrofest at Queen�s Park
� Worlds of Music series at Hart House
� Festival Bana y�Afrique at Dundas Square
� Muhtadi Drum Festival at Queen�s Park
� Uma Nota at the Gladstone Hotel
� Foot Prints event at the Rivoli
� Fundraisers for Sick Childrens� Hospital, Oxfam and Peace Now

Ainik� has also opened for Mr. Something Something in Toronto and Hamilton and is scheduled to play the Lula Lounge as part of the Small World Music Jazz Series.

Ainike is:

KAREN HACK has travelled to various regions of Africa in her study of percussion. In Guinea, she studied with Mamady Keita, Famoudou Konate,and performed with members of the Conakry Ballet, Gbassikolo. She has performed with Amara Kante, Bolokelen, Ijo Vudo dance troupe, and has toured Eastern Canada as far as PEI. Workshops where she has taught include Hillside Music Festival, the Toronto Zoo, and various events for the Drum Caf�. Karen founded and presently leads Ainike.

RICHARD UNDERHILL�s jazz debut won a Juno Award and was nominated for the Prix du Jazz at the Montreal Jazz Festival. His two latest albums have garnered consecutive Juno nominations. Among a widespread list of artists, Richard has performed and recorded with Jane Bunnett, the Neville Brothers, Holly Cole, Molly Johnson, Taj Mahal, Colin James, Tom Cochrane, and Wide Mouth Mason. As a member of the Shuffle Demons, he has performed in India and China, has crossed both Canada and Europe 15 times, and has played at such prestigious festivals as the North Sea Jazz, Molde Jazz, London�s Outside In Jazz festival, the Edinburgh Jazz festival, and Jazz a Vienne.

CHRIS BOTTOMLEY has performed at NXNE, CMJ, Toronto Distillery Jazz Festival, Beaches International Jazz Festival, Vancouver Jazz Festival, Jazz by Genre Summerfest and with notable artists including the Look People, Boogiewall Soundsystem, Vancouver�s Mofunk Collective, and Wayne Lavallee. His songwriting won 2nd place in the 2005 Unisong International Song Contest and honourable mention in the 2005/2006 U.K. Singer/Songwriter Awards.

SERGE CIMPANYE has been performing since he was a child, playing Burundian drums at weddings and student events in Burundi. He�s performed at the Roxy Blue, the Concord Caf� and has played guitar for Michelle Cuyugan and the Ambassadors.

TOBY GOLDBACH�s participation in an Ewe festival in Ghana was the subject of a feature on CBC Radio�s Global Village. She was assistant teacher to Master drummer Kwasi Dunyo (Faculty at York University and U of T) and has performed with percussionists from the Lion King in Kekeli Dance & Dance Ensemble.

MICHAEL HUROWITZ studied jazz piano with Frank Falco, arrangements with Gary Atkins, and West African Drumming with Mandido. He has played keyboards for Michel DeQuevedo (Articulo Vente), Brainfudge, Bobby Dreadful and has performed in the Toronto Wind Ensemble.

TANYA MATTHEWS has been performing world drums and percussion for 21 years. She has performed with Primal Zoo, The Subtonic Monks, Mr. Something Something, Samba Squad, and The Spirit Drummers. She has recorded with Corky and the Juice Pigs, Rick Monaco, Magdeline and in sountracks for CBC�s The National, and YTV�s Stuff. Currently, she also plays, composes and records with the world/jazz quartet The River Pilots.

SCOTTIE BLAZE has performed at NXNE, Peterborough Folk Festival, Distillery Jazz Festival, Pacific Circle Music Conference in Sydney, Australia, and Linz Music Festival in Austria. He has performed with Garry Lowe (Big Sugar), Jeff Martin (Tea Party), Rupert Hervey (Messanjah), Nick Ali and has performed and recorded with the group Pantano, featuring Dave Restivo and Dunkin Hopkins.

FRANK NORQUAY has played at Harbourfront, Equity Showcase Theatre and the Canadian Music Awards with notable artists like Amara Kante, Ijo Vudu, Bolokelen and Anastasio Beckie. He was Course Instructor of West African Drumming at York University and has taught workshops at Hillside and Afrofest.

SEAN PARK has played with Samba Elegua at festivals in Toronto, including at the Distillary District and for Nuit Blanche. He�s also played with