BAMABA DEMBELE
Music Director
The countries of West Africa have united behind their rich musical traditions to form this incredible and unique ensemble. Comprised of singers, dancers and musicians from the various cultures out of West Africa this company combines the traditional rhythms, instruments, folklore and mythology of nations such as Togo, Senegal, Guinea, Ghana, Benin, The Ivory Coast and Mauritania to paint a colorful and exciting picture of the oral and musical rites of these diverse peoples.
The ensemble was formed in 1970 in West Africa under the support of the government’s programs to revive folkloric music forms by fostering the arts and culture of the indigenous people. The group proved strong as it carried on these traditions, surviving defections, the rivalries of other musical ensembles by rival factions in the region, and even the unfortunate deaths of some founding members. What has allowed the group to carry on so successfully into the present is their unique blending of traditional West African melodies and musical styles, with the musical stylizations of the Western World. In the words of Artistic Director Bamaba Dembele, “We play Manding music, it’s part Mali, part Guinea, part Cote d’Ivoire, in short, it is West African music.”
The Song and Dance Ensemble of West Africa has gained great notoriety around the world and in their respective home countries due to their unique fusion and of their traditional folklore, song and dance with contemporary themes, which continue to shape and mold these amazing cultures. "Now it's the young who have come with new inspiration for the music," says artistic director Dembele, "we used to always play praise songs and ballads. Now we leave out the praise songs and add music that makes people move, that's how we conquered Europe and the US."
Their music now combines various African music styles. Congolese soukous nudges West African Manding, reggae meets latin, and overall an explosion of sound greets dancers and music lovers. While many have heard and followed the success of various ensembles from this area of the world, among others, the Song and Dance Ensemble of West Africa’s style has been greeted with enthusiasm around the world. While this style is West African authentic, a contemporary edge makes them as hip as any international big band.