Djembe Nova is an African drumming group that originated as the unofficial CalArts Djembe Ensemble in 2000, since it was comprised of both current and former CalArts students. Since then, we've been teaching and performing in the Los Angeles, CA area.
The sound files above are from our pre-Djembe-Nova period, when we were playing traditional and modern "ballet style" arrangements of Malinke djembe pieces exclusively (and were recorded mostly with a cheapo-mic and mini-disc recorder during live performances). A few of the better sounding excerpts where actually recorded at Capitol Records as part of the CalArts 2002 jazz CD. All of the lead djembe parts on the four sampler clips above were played by our former member, Akiko Horii, who is now playing in Paris, France with her own group Les Elles du Tambour and many other African and jazz groups.
Our current performers are:
Chris Armstrong
Cory Beers
Brittany Boroian
Joanna Malfatti
Mike Robbins
Past performers included:
Anthony Douglass
Akiko Horii
Beginning in May 2007, we've moved on to the Djembe Nova concept, which will be an "African rhythm fusion" of many different styles of African drumming that we've studied over the past 28 years (and are still studying). Because of the various African drumming traditions we've studied, we've often come across rhythms from different parts of Africa that have strong thematic similarities with each other - like long lost musical cousins. We have begun to branch out, beyond the standard djembe repertoire, and are creating new arrangements that combine related elements of rhythms from different parts of Africa and we may have some good quality recordings finished by the end summer 2007.
Many thanks go to our teachers, who have generously shared their music and cultures with us:
Agbi, Alfred and Kobla Ladzekpo
Dzidzorgbe Lawluvi-Ladzekpo
Sule Imoro
Kwame and Justina Ahima
Mamady Keita and Monette Marino-Keita
Madou and Dramane Dembele
Rafael Zokou
Abdoul Doumbia
Sidi Mohamed "Joh" Camara
Mohamed Da Costa
Papus Diabate
Antoine-Marie Nsekambabaye
Djimo Kouyate
Fode Bangoura
Ladji Camara
