Keyim Ba

Vivaz is a Latin-American nightclub, bar and restaurant tucked away on George Street, in The Rocks. It's been there for quite some years now and, thanks to peripatetic and irrepressible impresario, Dave Keogh, is about to enjoy something of a renaissance, with its South American pedigree broadened, under the banner of Equator. In short, it's set to become Sydney's home of world music. Equator launched last Thursday, with a focus on 'Afrika', featuring two of Sydney's most explosive acts, sourced, or partly so, from that continent: AJ Davita and Keyim Ba.

AJ (Angela-Joy) kicked off the night, with two exhilarating sets. Originally from Makonde, Zimbabwe, she emigrated to Australia, at just eighteen years of age, to study on the Gold Coast. While there, she hooked-up with fellow Zimbabweans Moira Makanda and Antoinette Dadzi, to form r 'n' b outfit, On2rage. Their debut single, Let U Go, produced by the renowned Audius Mtawarira, took even their home continent by storm. With a degree already under her belt, AJ headed to Sydney to complete a Bachelor of Contemporary Performance at the Australian Institute of Music.

An apparently naturally confident performer, AJ commands attention by way of her charismatic presence, powerful vocals and dynamic, uninhibited dance moves. In terms of boundless energy, she reminds me of the tireless Angelique Kidjo and, like her, AJ's musical base stretches from the traditional (think Brenda Fassie, Oliver Mtukudzi, Ringo Madlingozi, Malaika and Audius Mtawarira) to the contemporary, and almost everything in between.

Forget genre: jazz; blues; r 'n' b; funk; soul; rock; pop. Nothing is off limits. AJ can, will and does tackle practically anything and bend it to conform to her own shape and style; whether it's Tina Turner, Beyonce, Kanye West, The Supremes, Aretha Franklin, Randy Crawford, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, John Legend, Rihanna, Alicia Keys, Jessica Mauboy, Neyo, Lady Gaga, Fiji's J Boog or Jamaica's Brick 'n' Lace. When she does their material, she makes it all her own, whether singing solo, as half of a duo, a third of a trio or with a four, six or eight-piece band.

For the Equator launch, she came perilously close to her full-blown lineup, with an improbably young and almost impossibly gifted seven-piece (ten, if you count backing singers): AJ on lead vocals; on BVs, Sandra, Janice & Lizzie; keys, Kurtis Russell; conga and trumpet, David Hughes; sax, Callum Jan; guitar, Dave Regina; bass, Damien Macchi; drums, Monica Spasaro.

Interestingly, all Caucasian; something of a tribute to young Australian musicians, given the tricky rhythms and patterns common to much African music, which one could be forgiven for thinking you have to be born into and steeped in to really get. But this bunch discredit any such notion.

Sandra, Janice and Lizzie sound a little more pop-oriented than 'black-powered' and the harmonies could've been arranged more interestingly, but they sound sweet to the ear regardless. It's always refreshing to see a young woman on drums and Spasaro is across all the exotic rhythmic figures that arise in African music. Regina is an outstanding young guitarist whose lead breaks exude a rock sensibility, while Jan and Hughes reed and brass combo has a shiny, showy Las Vegas showband shimmer. Hughes is very proficient on percussion, to boot. Russell's keys are the very quintessence of slick, professional musicianship.

For the first set, AJ kicked off with a couple of Fassie faves; Thula & Vulindlela. Brenda was an outrageous South African pop singer whose political importance can't easily be exaggerated, since she stood as a voice (if not the voice) for black people during the appalling, prolonged reign of apartheid. She's been called the 'queen of African pop' & 'madonna of the townships' and one can hardly help but feel that when AJ sings Thula, she takes on all the pathos that attended Fassie's short, dramatic life. Thula, of course, has one of those African choruses that wraps around you like a doona on a cold night and I believe was inspired by a Zulu lullaby. It means peace and quiet.

But AJ is hardly one to stay still, peaceful or quiet. She's a diminutive dynamo, as she proves with Vulindlela, a song also written in Zulu and one which could almost come with an ironclad written guarantee to bounce any blues that might afflict you. I only wish I knew what it all meant.

Soweto-born Freddie Gwala's Amadamara is another, eminently danceable, feelgood song, but with that undercurrent of sadness that's distinctly African in character. (And you've got to love a man who describes car theft, for which he did time, as repossession.) Amadamara was Gwala's breakthrough hit and AJ brings her own world of soul and commitment to the song. It's clear she reveres this music.

Dzokauyamwe was written by Oliver Mtukudzi and affords Regina some bright and breezy moments on guitar. Like AJ, Oliver is Zimbabwean, so I imagine thi - Australian Stage

SYDNEY'S Vivaz restaurant and bar at The Rocks will be changing their tune this week with the introduction of a world music night.

Traditionally Vivaz has featured an assortment of Latin music acts on Friday and Saturday nights for crowds of up to 400 guests.

But with plans to renovate the long-standing venue, owners Andrew and Zoya Katz have decided to mix things up a bit and incorporate a monthly night of world music called Equator.

David Keogh who will be promoting Equator said that incorporating music from all corners of the globe will reinvent the nightclub and bring
with it a vibrant crowd.

"We want to bring in music from all over the world and that is what it is all about." Mr Keogh said.

"lt gives us the licence to bring in any band from anywhere but it is important that it is always top quality.

"Like The Basement (a renowned jazz venue at Circular Quay) used to be - you might not know who is playing there but you will definitely know
they will be very good."

Equator will launch tomorrow night with the "Afrika" show that will feature expat musicians Kenyim Ba from Senegal. Sibo Bangoura, Yacou Mbaye and AJ Davita from Zimbabwe.

Equator will be open once a month on Thursdays. However, depending on its popularity, there is potential to make the shows more frequent.

"The potential is there for more and it may even be open for more days in the future." Mr Keogh said

''Of course. once the venue has been refurnished and modernised. It may be that Equator and Vivaz will grow into one of Sydney's premier music spaces.”

While Equator is expected to bring with it new patronage, Mr Katz said that he hopes that Vivaz regulars also enjoy it.

"Our hope is that Equator will reinvigorate our venue." Mr Katz said.

"Still appealing to our regular patrons but also attracting a whole new audience from all parts of Sydney and visitors too who love music based on cultural traditions." - Central Magazine Sydney

NSW is lacking in support for multicultural arts practice. Artists, arts workers, researchers, critical thinkers and policy-makers will have an opportunity to discuss and take action on the issues and challenges that our arts community face in the

Multicultural Arts Forum 2012 on 13 & 14 April at Carriageworks.

With the participation of an amazing range of speakers including Cristina Dio (Diaspora Media), Danielle Antaki (Powerhouse Youth Theatre), Lisa Havilah (Carriageworks) and Pino Migliorino (Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia FECCA), the Multicultural Arts Forum offers two days packed with panel discussions, roundtables, keynotes, network opportunities and fabulous showcase entertainment.

The interconnections between professional and community arts practice, diverse programming and an open mic discussion on the uncertain future of world music presenter Café Carnivale, are some of the hot topics in the 2-day program.

Iconic singer and actor Paul Capsis promises to be one of the highlights of the showcase event on Friday evening. He will be joined by West African master musicians, KEYIM BA, plus some great dance and theatre performances and film screenings.

Multicultural Arts Forum 2012 is presented by Groundswell: Creative Thinkers, Creative Solutions, an arts sector-driven committee founded for the ongoing dialogue, promotion, advocacy and development of multicultural arts in NSW.

For more info click here.

Registrations now open and essential. - East Side 89.7 FM

NSW is lacking in support for multicultural arts practice. Artists, arts workers, researchers, critical thinkers and policy-makers will have an opportunity to discuss and take action on the issues and challenges that our arts community face in the

Multicultural Arts Forum 2012 on 13 & 14 April at Carriageworks.

With the participation of an amazing range of speakers including Cristina Dio (Diaspora Media), Danielle Antaki (Powerhouse Youth Theatre), Lisa Havilah (Carriageworks) and Pino Migliorino (Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia FECCA), the Multicultural Arts Forum offers two days packed with panel discussions, roundtables, keynotes, network opportunities and fabulous showcase entertainment.

The interconnections between professional and community arts practice, diverse programming and an open mic discussion on the uncertain future of world music presenter Café Carnivale, are some of the hot topics in the 2-day program.

Iconic singer and actor Paul Capsis promises to be one of the highlights of the showcase event on Friday evening. He will be joined by West African master musicians, KEYIM BA, plus some great dance and theatre performances and film screenings.

Multicultural Arts Forum 2012 is presented by Groundswell: Creative Thinkers, Creative Solutions, an arts sector-driven committee founded for the ongoing dialogue, promotion, advocacy and development of multicultural arts in NSW.

For more info click here.

Registrations now open and essential. - East Side 89.7 FM

NSW is lacking in support for multicultural arts practice. Artists, arts workers, researchers, critical thinkers and policy-makers will have an opportunity to discuss and take action on the issues and challenges that our arts community face in the

Multicultural Arts Forum 2012 on 13 & 14 April at Carriageworks.

With the participation of an amazing range of speakers including Cristina Dio (Diaspora Media), Danielle Antaki (Powerhouse Youth Theatre), Lisa Havilah (Carriageworks) and Pino Migliorino (Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia FECCA), the Multicultural Arts Forum offers two days packed with panel discussions, roundtables, keynotes, network opportunities and fabulous showcase entertainment.

The interconnections between professional and community arts practice, diverse programming and an open mic discussion on the uncertain future of world music presenter Café Carnivale, are some of the hot topics in the 2-day program.

Iconic singer and actor Paul Capsis promises to be one of the highlights of the showcase event on Friday evening. He will be joined by West African master musicians, KEYIM BA, plus some great dance and theatre performances and film screenings.

Multicultural Arts Forum 2012 is presented by Groundswell: Creative Thinkers, Creative Solutions, an arts sector-driven committee founded for the ongoing dialogue, promotion, advocacy and development of multicultural arts in NSW.

For more info click here.

Registrations now open and essential. - East Side 89.7 FM

Recorded in Guinea and
dedicated to his late teacher, this
impressive debut from the Sydneybosed
percussionist follows a
rhythmically traditional path – excellent. - Limelight

LITTLE Pico Bangoura is getting his drums warmed up for the biggest West African Festival in Sydney.

The energetic spirit of the bands has clearly rubbed off on the toddler, showing the crew exactly how banging the drums should be done.

Pico’s diligent practice is in preparation for the West African Festival at Marrickville town hall on Saturday.

Festival organiser Rachel Bangoura, who is part of the group Keyim Ba that will perform on the day, said her son Pico is a drummer at heart.

“He’s just constantly drumming everything in the house - as soon as he gets up in the morning he grabs two sticks,” she said.

Mrs Bangoura, who is also a traditional dancer, said audiences can expect nothing less than a whole lot of fun, action and culture at the festival.

“There is an impressive line-up of performers from Ghana, Senegal, Guinea and even Australia,” she said.

“The aim is to really promote the West African culture to the local community because people don’t realise how many amazingly talented musicians there are here from West Africa.”

The day/night event includes free drumming workshops for adults and children with Djembe greats - brothers Mohamed and Sibo Bangoura.

There will also be face painting, food and jewellery stalls.

THE LINE-UP
¦ Epizo Bangoura; Pape M’Baye & Chosani Afrique; Afro Moses; Errol Renaud&Caribbean Soul; Karifi; Sibo Bangoura with Keyim Ba; Miriam Lieberman
¦ WHAT: The West African Festival 2011
¦ WHEN: Saturday, November 12, Marrickville town hall
¦ WEBSITE: westafricanfestival2011.com - Inner West Courier

We are so fortunate in Australia to have a growing number of virtuoso and authentic African artists who are enthusiastic about sharing their musical culture. One such artist, originally from Guinea, is musician Sibo Bangoura, who heads up Keyim Ba, an exuberant, celebratory outfit that literally party their way through the many colours and flavours of Bangoura’s West African background, leaving the dance floor packed with sweaty bodies screaming for more.

At their recent set at Venue 505 in Sydney, Keyim Ba showcased a repertoire of traditional and new originals that drew from the many sounds and styles of West African music – soukous, hilife and afrobeat with liberal lashings of funk, reggae grooves and Afro-rap in a number of languages, all underpinned by powerful traditional rhythms.

As musical director, Sibo Bangoura leads the band on djembe (traditional solo hand drum) kora (West African harp) and vocals. On stage he is in fine company with highly respected guitarist Moussa Diakete (from Mali and former guitarist in Salif Keita’s band), his brother Mohamed Bangoura (highly respected master drummer), Senegalese Yakou MBayer on talking drum and Jean Gomez on bass, local guitarist Blair Greenberg and vocalist Miriam Lieberman.

Bangoura was born into a rich griot tradition in Conakry, Guinea, on the coast of West Africa, a country renowned for its powerful drum rhythms and djembe playing. He claims he was born to the beat of a drum and hasn’t stopped perfecting his art since. A passionate advocate of the rhythms and dance of his homeland, he is a local custodian of this Guinean heritage, fortunate to take regular trips back home to tap directly into the source of his musical culture to maintain strong connections with the authentic roots of this music.

It was on the last trip where Sibo recorded his debut album “Keyim Ba” (“very beautiful”), a stunning collection of tracks that has been universally praised for its outstanding musicianship and for harnessing the explosive power of traditional Guinean rhythm and song.

The live band is inspired in name and in music by this release and is one of the many highlights of this year’s West African Festival, being held at Marrickville Town Hall on Saturday 12th November.

In it’s 2nd year, the festival has moved to a larger venue to accommodate not only the growing African community of Sydney, but the large mainstream audience that is becoming more entranced by the culture of West Africa. The festival presents an impressive line up of some of Australia’s most prominent exponents of West African music, dance and culture promising explosive and powerful African drumming, high energy dancing and the alluring sounds of West African melody and song.

Also on the bill are Pape M'Baye & Chosani Afrique, Afro Moses,
Errol Renaud & Caribbean Soul, Karifi, Miriam Lieberman and a
special guest appearance from internationally renowned musician
Epizo Bangoura from Guinea. And just announced is the
magnificent dancer Lucky Lartey from Ghana who will join the
Keyim Ba dancers in their high energy show, as well as
performing his own set of Afro-Contemporary dance.

Festival Director Rachel Bangoura says the aim of the festival is to
celebrate the culture of the West African diaspora by
demonstrating how many West Africans have integrated their
music and dance into daily life in Australia.
The festival is accessible to all members of the community,
highlighting the importance of music and dance as a
cross-cultural experience relevant to all.

The festival is a day/night event that includes free drumming
workshops for adults and kids with master djembe exponents
Mohamed & Sibo Bangoura, a dynamic African dance workshop
(also free), continuous live performance throughout the day and
delicious food, arts and craft stalls.
The colourful festival is held on Saturday, November 12th at
Marrickville Town Hall, 303 Marrickville Road, Marrickvil - Diaspora

We are so fortunate in Australia to have a growing number of virtuoso and authentic African artists who are enthusiastic about sharing their musical culture. One such artist, originally from Guinea, is musician Sibo Bangoura, who heads up Keyim Ba, an exuberant, celebratory outfit that literally party their way through the many colours and flavours of Bangoura’s West African background, leaving the dance floor packed with sweaty bodies screaming for more.

At their recent set at Venue 505 in Sydney, Keyim Ba showcased a repertoire of traditional and new originals that drew from the many sounds and styles of West African music – soukous, hilife and afrobeat with liberal lashings of funk, reggae grooves and Afro-rap in a number of languages, all underpinned by powerful traditional rhythms.

As musical director, Sibo Bangoura leads the band on djembe (traditional solo hand drum) kora (West African harp) and vocals. On stage he is in fine company with highly respected guitarist Moussa Diakete (from Mali and former guitarist in Salif Keita’s band), his brother Mohamed Bangoura (highly respected master drummer), Senegalese Yakou MBayer on talking drum and Jean Gomez on bass, local guitarist Blair Greenberg and vocalist Miriam Lieberman.

Bangoura was born into a rich griot tradition in Conakry, Guinea, on the coast of West Africa, a country renowned for its powerful drum rhythms and djembe playing. He claims he was born to the beat of a drum and hasn’t stopped perfecting his art since. A passionate advocate of the rhythms and dance of his homeland, he is a local custodian of this Guinean heritage, fortunate to take regular trips back home to tap directly into the source of his musical culture to maintain strong connections with the authentic roots of this music.

It was on the last trip where Sibo recorded his debut album “Keyim Ba” (“very beautiful”), a stunning collection of tracks that has been universally praised for its outstanding musicianship and for harnessing the explosive power of traditional Guinean rhythm and song.

The live band is inspired in name and in music by this release and is one of the many highlights of this year’s West African Festival, being held at Marrickville Town Hall on Saturday 12th November.

In it’s 2nd year, the festival has moved to a larger venue to accommodate not only the growing African community of Sydney, but the large mainstream audience that is becoming more entranced by the culture of West Africa. The festival presents an impressive line up of some of Australia’s most prominent exponents of West African music, dance and culture promising explosive and powerful African drumming, high energy dancing and the alluring sounds of West African melody and song.

Also on the bill are Pape M'Baye & Chosani Afrique, Afro Moses,
Errol Renaud & Caribbean Soul, Karifi, Miriam Lieberman and a
special guest appearance from internationally renowned musician
Epizo Bangoura from Guinea. And just announced is the
magnificent dancer Lucky Lartey from Ghana who will join the
Keyim Ba dancers in their high energy show, as well as
performing his own set of Afro-Contemporary dance.

Festival Director Rachel Bangoura says the aim of the festival is to
celebrate the culture of the West African diaspora by
demonstrating how many West Africans have integrated their
music and dance into daily life in Australia.
The festival is accessible to all members of the community,
highlighting the importance of music and dance as a
cross-cultural experience relevant to all.

The festival is a day/night event that includes free drumming
workshops for adults and kids with master djembe exponents
Mohamed & Sibo Bangoura, a dynamic African dance workshop
(also free), continuous live performance throughout the day and
delicious food, arts and craft stalls.
The colourful festival is held on Saturday, November 12th at
Marrickville Town Hall, 303 Marrickville Road, Marrickvil - Diaspora

We are so fortunate in Australia to have a growing number of virtuoso and authentic African artists who are enthusiastic about sharing their musical culture. One such artist, originally from Guinea, is musician Sibo Bangoura, who heads up Keyim Ba, an exuberant, celebratory outfit that literally party their way through the many colours and flavours of Bangoura’s West African background, leaving the dance floor packed with sweaty bodies screaming for more.

At their recent set at Venue 505 in Sydney, Keyim Ba showcased a repertoire of traditional and new originals that drew from the many sounds and styles of West African music – soukous, hilife and afrobeat with liberal lashings of funk, reggae grooves and Afro-rap in a number of languages, all underpinned by powerful traditional rhythms.

As musical director, Sibo Bangoura leads the band on djembe (traditional solo hand drum) kora (West African harp) and vocals. On stage he is in fine company with highly respected guitarist Moussa Diakete (from Mali and former guitarist in Salif Keita’s band), his brother Mohamed Bangoura (highly respected master drummer), Senegalese Yakou MBayer on talking drum and Jean Gomez on bass, local guitarist Blair Greenberg and vocalist Miriam Lieberman.

Bangoura was born into a rich griot tradition in Conakry, Guinea, on the coast of West Africa, a country renowned for its powerful drum rhythms and djembe playing. He claims he was born to the beat of a drum and hasn’t stopped perfecting his art since. A passionate advocate of the rhythms and dance of his homeland, he is a local custodian of this Guinean heritage, fortunate to take regular trips back home to tap directly into the source of his musical culture to maintain strong connections with the authentic roots of this music.

It was on the last trip where Sibo recorded his debut album “Keyim Ba” (“very beautiful”), a stunning collection of tracks that has been universally praised for its outstanding musicianship and for harnessing the explosive power of traditional Guinean rhythm and song.

The live band is inspired in name and in music by this release and is one of the many highlights of this year’s West African Festival, being held at Marrickville Town Hall on Saturday 12th November.

In it’s 2nd year, the festival has moved to a larger venue to accommodate not only the growing African community of Sydney, but the large mainstream audience that is becoming more entranced by the culture of West Africa. The festival presents an impressive line up of some of Australia’s most prominent exponents of West African music, dance and culture promising explosive and powerful African drumming, high energy dancing and the alluring sounds of West African melody and song.

Also on the bill are Pape M'Baye & Chosani Afrique, Afro Moses,
Errol Renaud & Caribbean Soul, Karifi, Miriam Lieberman and a
special guest appearance from internationally renowned musician
Epizo Bangoura from Guinea. And just announced is the
magnificent dancer Lucky Lartey from Ghana who will join the
Keyim Ba dancers in their high energy show, as well as
performing his own set of Afro-Contemporary dance.

Festival Director Rachel Bangoura says the aim of the festival is to
celebrate the culture of the West African diaspora by
demonstrating how many West Africans have integrated their
music and dance into daily life in Australia.
The festival is accessible to all members of the community,
highlighting the importance of music and dance as a
cross-cultural experience relevant to all.

The festival is a day/night event that includes free drumming
workshops for adults and kids with master djembe exponents
Mohamed & Sibo Bangoura, a dynamic African dance workshop
(also free), continuous live performance throughout the day and
delicious food, arts and craft stalls.
The colourful festival is held on Saturday, November 12th at
Marrickville Town Hall, 303 Marrickville Road, Marrickvil - Diaspora

FOR the tongue-tied teenager, unable to express their feelings, Pape M'Baye has a percussive solution.
Using a drumstick and his hand, the self-proclaimed ''Afro-Aussie'' musician beats out ''I love you'' on a sabar drum.
''We have drum language and then we communicate with sabar,'' said M'Baye, from Senegal. ''Each rhythm in the sabar means something. We have rhythm for wedding, naming ceremony, healing, the same way you are using your phone.''
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Sibo Bangoura raps out similar sentiments with his hands on the djembe, a goblet-shaped drum used in west African countries including Bangoura's Guinea.
Bangoura said drummers traditionally communicated significant life events.
''Anything you can say with your mouth, you can play on the djembe,'' said Bangoura, who will perform with his band Keyim Ba at the West African Festival, part of Cafe Carnivale's program of world music, at Marrickville Town Hall on Saturday.
The festival line-up includes other west African drummers, dancers and musicians including M'Baye and his band, Chosani Afrique, and Afro Moses.
In its second year, the West African Festival has no government funding despite applying for grants from Marrickville Council and the NSW Community Relations Commission.
The festival director, Rachel Bangoura, said African music was not rated as a priority.
While it was rooted in traditional African rhythms, M'Baye said it included reggae, funk, ska and ''African-Gypsy music''.
''That song we played, it's a mix of Serbian music, like Gypsy music, and an African beat.''
Both men were born into griot families, although Bangoura said he had flirted with being a football player.
M'Baye said the task of a griot, who were usually poets, singers or musicians, was to preserve cultural practices and community cohesion.
''We use a lot of instruments to make our people happy, to bring them together,'' he said. ''Then we can talk to them.
''Because when people are angry you cannot talk to them.''

- SMH

The Cd is class, I can highly recommend it.

I find the song on the first track Wulé TOTAALLLLYYY addictive. Seriously it's been my head for 5 days now.

That and I keep walking around singing about Fanta Kouyate, his mother.

There is stonking djembe on this, but it gets brownie points for having full instruments, like bala, Kora and wicked singing, which means that I can listen to it while my girlfriend is in the same room ! - Djembe Fola

The Cd is class, I can highly recommend it.

I find the song on the first track Wulé TOTAALLLLYYY addictive. Seriously it's been my head for 5 days now.

That and I keep walking around singing about Fanta Kouyate, his mother.

There is stonking djembe on this, but it gets brownie points for having full instruments, like bala, Kora and wicked singing, which means that I can listen to it while my girlfriend is in the same room ! - Djembe Fola

That's a very nice CD. Quite musical and melodic--the tracks all have vocals, balafon, kora, and/or flute with them, so it isn't just a CD for percussion aficionados with lots of djembe wizardry, but very listenable as music. Yet, the djembe wizardry isn't missing, so there is plenty to be enjoyed in terms of fancy chops. - Djembe Fola

That's a very nice CD. Quite musical and melodic--the tracks all have vocals, balafon, kora, and/or flute with them, so it isn't just a CD for percussion aficionados with lots of djembe wizardry, but very listenable as music. Yet, the djembe wizardry isn't missing, so there is plenty to be enjoyed in terms of fancy chops. - Djembe Fola