Member Since: 2/3/2008
Band Website: Photos by Luzita Francis luzitafrancis.com
Band Members: Sandy Blocker (balafon, jembe, frame drum, vocals) Guhl Mustafa (guitar, dumbek, vocals), Buck Blocker (drumset), Lucas Ray (guitar, vocals, jembe)
Influences: Ali Farka Toure, Toumani Diabate, Adama Drame, Bob Marley and fam, Habib Koite, Dimi Mint Abba, Khalifa Ould, Boubacar Traore, Frank Zappa, Big String Theory, Hassan Hakmoun, Shakti, Jimi Hendrix, Bassekou Kouyate, Master Musicians of Jajouka, Salif Keita, Keletigue Diabate, Yoro Sidibe, Django Reinhardt, Huun Huur Tu, Papa Ladji Camara, Al Di Meola, Miles Davis, Rev. Gary Davis, John Bergamo, Captain Beefheart, Glen Velez, Travis Meeks, Led Zeppelin, Robert Johnson, Queens of The Stone Age, Cream
Sounds Like: ANKATAA: pronounced {Unkuhtah} means "let’s go," "let’s proceed forward in all directions" in the Bambara language. Ankataa is a newly formed band of old friends, new friends, and family. Members of the band have been playing together for as long as ten years. Performances have ranged from public schools, zoos, Sufi festivals, concert halls, and outdoor festivals. Being inspired by the music from the rich traditions of North and West Africa, Sufi, Gypsy, Arabic, and Tuva with roots in America, Ankataa forms a link to the past while being well rooted in the now. Members have studied music in Morocco, Mali, Guinea, and India as well as with musicians from North and West Africa, Turkey, and India living in the U.S. Guitars, bala(fon), drum set, jembe, nege, oud, frame drums, and doumbec gives them a unique yet familiar sound. Their music is an original take on the traditional. Ankataa, by playing the diverse music that inspires us, hopes to inspire tolerance, experimentation and exploration of music and cultures from around the world.
Record Label: unsigned
Type of Label: None