Wofabe by M'Bemba Bangoura

As a native of Guinea West Africa, M'Bemba Bangoura began drumming at a very young age. He began to learn the traditional music and dance styles of his village before he was old enough to be in school, and it has remained the primary focus of his life to this day. By the age of fourteen, he had displayed such a high level of skill and artistry that he was invited to join the city ballet, The Ballet of Conakry, in the nation’s capital. The ballet was a formal training ground for him where he became lead drummer and was recognized as a rising star in the city’s drumming community. ✺ After seven years of playing with the city ballet, M’Bemba had become a master drummer and was invited to play for Ballet Djoliba, the most widely recognized and respected ballet in the country at that time. There he worked side by side with other master drummers, most notably longtime friend Mamady Keita, with whom he created all of the ballet’s musical arrangements. It was with this troupe that he first travelled to the united States. ✺ After four european tours and two tours throughout the united States with Ballet Djoliba, M’Bemba decided to pursue a solo career. in 1988, he established his first dance company in Amsterdam called Africa Soli. He soon had a devoted following of young drummers and dancers eager to learn of the traditions that he carried with him. ✺ Two years later he moved to the united States, traveling extensively, but ultimately settling in New York City. Here he helped to found Fareta School of Drum and Dance, one of the most prominent drum and dance centers in New York at that time. in 1992, he co-founded the Les Ballet Bagata, with master dancer Youssouf Koumbassa.✺M’Bemba Bangoura has travelled through out the world as a performer and teacher of African drum and dance, and is revered worldwide for his high level of mastery. He currently resides in New York City where he teaches at various venues. he has recorded two previous solo CDs, Wali and Fanji, playing traditional rhythms in his unique and passionate style. ✺

M’Bemba Bangoura has travelled through out the world as a performer and teacher of African drum and dance, and is revered worldwide for his high level of mastery. He currently resides in New York City where he teaches at various venues. He has recorded two previous solo CDs, Wali and Fanji, playing traditional rhythms in his unique and passionate style.