| Mali Culture 1000 years of musical evolution
The music of Mali is arguably the most precious cultural jewel of the former Mande Empire. Malian music incorporates numerous styles, dozens of instruments, world-renowned singing, dynamic dancing, and a musicological evolution on par with the most respected musical traditions of Europe, the Caribbean, and India. The traditions of West Africa are widely accepted as being the source for American blues music and the culture of transplanted Africans has permeated most every form of Western popular music. The musical integrity of their traditional forms, and the modern fusion that Malian and foreign artists are driving has brought the music of this West African nation to the forefront of the world music scene. A Few Popular Malian Musical Styles Rusty Eklund with Jeli Lamine Soumano at VCU '07 | | As a certified teacher I have spent the more than a decade examining the Malian forms and how their music is integrated into soceity, their cultural and educational "institutions", and what is the best way to present this music in the context of other cultures. Percussion Instructional Repertoire - Introductory Percussion (Ages 3-adult) - Professional Percussion - Jenbe Ensemble (beginner to advanced) - Bamana Drum Arrangements Instrumental Instructional Repertoire - Jeli and Guitar Ensemble Music - Kamel N'Goni Introductory Percussion Rhythmic concepts, introductory hand and stick patterns, basic ensemble arrangements. Professional Percussion Instruction in placing West African drums in support of instrumental ensembles. This instructional series incorporates rhythms plus improvisations for each instrument. Instrumentation includes the jenbe, jeli dununba, ballet dununs (mallet drums), nanga (bell), n'tama (talking) drums, calabash, koro koro (log drum), kerenyen (metal scraper), yabara (gourd shaker). Djembe, Dunun, N'taman Ensemble Core instruction for the jenbe ensemble includes jenbe accompaniment, konkoni accompaniment, call, 3 solo phrases unique to each rhythm, and for advancd players dununba lead phrasing. Instruction is rooted in the three main rhythmic families. Pedagogical approach is to solidify a player's knowledge and technique in the Malian repertoire, providing a "classical" base for understanding a wider range of lead technique, playing styles, and forms of music, thus preparing the student for advanced/professional studies with West African master drummers.
Jenbe (Djembe) Ensemble with Lead Phrases and Songs
Suku, Dansa, Maraka, Madan, Gerankeh, Moribayassa, Numu, Korojuga, Ferabanka, Fula, Komo, Manjani, N'grii, Sunu/12-8, Wolosso, Bonkolo, Tama, Donkono, Bamana Bonkolo Ensemble with Songs
Jon Foly, Bara, Fula Foly, Chiwara, Somono Foly, Korojuga Foly Jeli (Griot) and Guitar Ensemble Guitar, Kora, N'goni, Bala, Bass, Percussion notations Mali Sadjo, Sunjatta, Janjon, Mansani Cisse, Bani, Famaden, Bemankan, Tara, Sackodugu, Salimou
| | Vagabon Tribe Music by Rusty Eklund Vagabon Tribe on myspace 
Capturing the unique musical flavors of West Africa, the Middle East, and Americana, Vagabon Tribe brings a funky fusion to the stage. Whether they are playing original compositions or unique arrangements of traditional music, audiances are immediately drawn to the unique instruments, African driven beats, and the mellow grooves and melodies from around the globe.
Vagabon Tribe includes the beautiful multi-lingual vocals of Djoba, West African African kamel n'goni and percussion work by Rusty Eklund, masterful latin and African percussion by Ryan Mullin, the nimble guitar work of Nate Finestead, and the authentic Puular and Wolof vocal stylings of Sedou Sow, as well as a selection of musicians from around the globe. Eklund has spent the better part of two decades traveling in Europe, Asia, West Africa, and Oceana, and has shared the stage with Grammy-winner Toumani Diabate, Jeli Lamine Soumanoand Nahawa Doumbia. His compositions and collection of traditional pieces provide the foundation for Vagabon Tribe's music.
Rusty Eklund International Musician/Teacher
Rusty Eklund is an international musician presenting the instruments, culture and musicology of the West African people, highlighting more than 13 years of study and performance with West African musicians. Eklund spent the better part of a decade in Mali and Guinea and holds a BA in Mathematics and Ethnomusicology. .
University Lecture Series Performances Drumming and Song Workshops Performance/Educational Materials School Programs
A Selection of Malian and Modern Instruments
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