| 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 
A Selection of Malian and Modern Instruments The Mali Kan Program presented by Rusty Eklund 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
| |  Capturing the unique musical flavors of West Africa, North Africa, the Caribbean, and Americana music, Vagabon Tribe brings a funky fusion to the stage. Vagabon Tribe's debut release includes compositions and arrangements by Rusty Eklund, as well as his African harp and percussion work, the beautiful vocals of Mauritanian native Djoba Gueye, masterful guitar and mandolin playing by Malian virtuoso Lamine Soumano, the authentic Puular and Wolof vocals of Sedou Sow, and a selection of musicians from West and North Africa.
Meet the Tribe
Djoba Gueye Vocals, Guitar, Lyrics Djoba brings a unique soul to this group. A seasoned voice with hints of blues and jazz. Numerous tours of Europe and the US in her resume. Lamine Soumano Guitar, Kora, Mandolin, Arranger 
Lamine is a griot from Mali and virtuoso of the guitar and kora. Most certainly, one of the finest musicians in West Africa having been on numerous tours of Europe and the US. 
Rusty Eklund Kamel N'goni Percussion, Composer Arranger Rusty has traveled the globe for two decades studying culture and music. Most of the last 12 years in West and North Africa. | |