From a long lineage of talented performers,
the bloodline of Bandika Ngao thrives on music
through a rich drumming tradition from the
East Coast of Kenya. Bandika officially started
drumming at the age of 8, by which time he had
already learned an enormous amount from many
family members. He continued to develop as a
musician, and in 1987 took on the role of performer
and choreographer for the "Bomas of Kenya"
cultural troupe in Nairobi. He toured extensively
with the group, both nationally and internationally,
including a trip to Australia, where he met acclaimed
jazz drummer Nicholas McBride. In 1994, Nicholas
travelled to Kenya on a study grant, where he spent
two months with Bandika, learning the traditional
drumming styles of the Duruma people. On his
return to Australia he recorded and released his
first album, entitled "Bandika", he was so inspired
by the music he had learned in Kenya.
Bandika left the "Bomas of Kenya" in 1995, forming
his own group based in Mombasa and performing at
many venues in the coast region. At this time he also
began to travel extensively to remote areas of Kenya,
researching music and particularly drumming techniques.
After a few years of working in Kenya, Bandika was
contacted by Australian bandleader Judy Campbell
and asked to join her world jazz group MOSAIC for
a tour in South Africa. She had learned about Bandika
through Nick McBride, by then the drummer in MOSAIC.
Bandika joined the group in South Africa in July 2004
and enjoyed a successful tour, including performances
at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown and at the
Cape Town Jazz & Blues Festival.
Just over a year later, Bandika travelled to Australia
to tour once again with Judy Campbell's MOSAIC.
During this 2005 tour, MOSAIC was also so inpired
by Bandika's music that they started a recording
project with him. This resulted in the collaborative
CD "Colours of Kenya", released on Maju Music in
January 2007. Bandika toured again in Australia
with MOSAIC in February/March 2007, promoting
the new album and charming audiences up and
down the eastern seaboard. During the tour, he
also delivered highly popular percussion workshops
to students of all ages.
Bandika continues to perform in and around Mombasa.
He is also a renowned teacher and instrument
maker, accepting many foreign students to study
with him in his village, Miritini Kilabu.
See www.maju.com for more information
about "Colours of Kenya".
