SLYKUMU

SLYKUMU is a collaboration arranged by Griffin Brady, Master of Arts from Goddard College, founder and teacher at the Slyboots School of Music and Art in Buffalo, NY and percussionist in the jazz group, On The Sly. On Brady's first unaccompanied trip to Ghana, West Africa in 2004, he studied at the Dagara Music Center just outside of the capital city of Accra- a school founded by Brady's mentor and xylophone father Bernard Woma. During this residency he met the members of the Saakumu Dance Troupe who work for Bernard Woma, not only as musicians and dancers- but as teachers at the DMC.

It was at that time that the collaborative minds of Bernard Woma and Griffin Brady began to formulate a plan to bring Saakumu to the US. In 2008 the plans manifested into actions and 15 men and women of the Saakumu Dance Troupe traveled to the US for the first time ever. Packed tightly in Brady's short school bus (which normally transported the 3-5 piece jazz group, On The Sly) the crew traveled over 15,000 miles doing 99 shows in 49 days.

Saakumu has been back every year since to tour colleges and universities across the US with Brady as their road manager, driver, booking agent, collaborating musician and teacher. This 2011-2012 season marks their 5th tour together and their 5 time acting as artists in residence at the Slyboots School.

The following was taken from www.bernardwoma.com

Saakumu Dance Troupe is dedicated to introducing audiences to traditional and contemporary African dance and music. (Saakumu) means traditions, and as the name implies, the company derives its repertoire on the variety of both traditional and contemporary cultures with creativity. We are an artist founded association driven by a passion for bringing innovative dances and world music to our audiences. In addition to collaborating with artists and presenters of all kinds, we are committed to building new audiences via performances.

The award winning Saakumu Dance Troupe is one of the leading traditional/contemporary dance and music groups in Ghana, West Africa. Led by master musician, Bernard Woma, the group repertoire includes a range of spiritual, ceremonial, recreational genres to contemporary African dance forms. Their music and dance is joyful, expressive and highly participatory.

Based in Medie Accra, the Saakumu Dance Troupe has performed at important governmental functions, national and international music and dance festivals throughout Ghana and West Africa. The SDA is the designated official performing group at this year’s National Festival of Art and Culture, (NAFAC) the largest cultural festival in Ghana.

Our work involves community outreach and educational programs in schools and colleges. Instrumentation include (gyil) African xylophone, drums, calabash water drums and the praise singing (talking drums) of the Akan and Dagbamba people of Ghana. The group is eager to share their music and dances with the rest of the world.

The following was taken from www.onthesly.org

On the Sly has been touring regionally and nationally over the past 8 years. Their music is original and inspired. Featuring Andrew Moore on bass, guitar and vocals alongside Griffin Brady on drums, percussion and vocals and frequently showcasing guest artists on various instruments from around the world, On the Sly’s shows are always an exciting and memorable experience. On the Sly handles all of the booking and managing internally and has created a plethora of life long networking partnerships as a result of this grassroots action. Many of the visiting artists from around the world that the Slyboots School features are perfect examples of the partnerships made through their touring efforts.

SLYKUMU is the creative manifestation of cultural exchange, love, friendship and communication through music in our global village. SLYKUMU is the sound of social barriers breaking and the collective rejoicing of mankind. SLYKUMU is coming- are you ready?

Www.OnTheSly.org
Www.BernardWoma.com