The Brothers Tour Blog.....

Brothers Tour Performance - an outstanding success! 

I really can't believe it's all over!

Last Friday's gig at Ronnie's was completely outstanding! 
Thank you so much to all the beautiful people who came along to support us - the place was packed and rocking!

Massive thank you's to:-

Sidiki, Yahs and Baba - it has been a true honour to play with you on the Brothers Tour....you will always have a special place in my heart. Kontaani have had a truly magical time. Thank you so much for the opportunity to train with and play with such master musicians.

The beautiful and immensely talented Holly Marland on Kora - I am in awe of you! and I have had so many comments about how wonderful you were.

Sens - thanks again for the wonderful dancing - a joy to watch!

Jamie, Beej and Tess from Tanante who joined us on stage at the end - WOW what a finish!

Ronnie Rees - thank you x  We were the last band to play at Ronnie's before it closed it's doors. So sad but what an amazing night to end on.

Simon Inkpen - thank you for doing the sound for us lovely man - what a challenge ehh?

Hep - you worked really hard on the raffle for me! Thank you so much x

John and Claire for working on the door for me - you worked hard!
Lyn and Tom who are always ready to jump in when I need you both.
To everyone else who helped in some way, shape or form - thank you.

Simon Brown (Travelling Simon) - for the most fantastic photography! Thank you so much for coming to our gig Simon and for the beautiful gift of memories.

So many of my Wednesday group came along to support, dance and be generally wonderful - thank you guys x

On behalf of the Kontaani band - we had a truly awesome time, thank you to each and everyone of you who came along, danced and sang - some travelled far and wide. I can't believe how brilliant you all were - thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Loads of love Marie xxx
 

 

 

19th July 2014 - Diary of a band of drummers 

On Saturday 19th July Kontaani commenced training with The Brothers.

Having been to a party in Liverpool the night before and stayed over in a hotel, I was up very early to rush back to Langley for a 9.30 start I arrived at the local village hall as the band began to gather to await the arrival of Sidiki, Yahs and Baba.
Piers, our youngest member's Grandad Richard had kindly offered to collect the guys from Macclesfield Station and bring them up to Langley whilst we set up the drums.  Sidiki and Baba had travelled from Manchester and Yahs all the way from London, just for a few hours for our first session.

There was definitely a slight tension and apprehension amongst us!  The arrival of the Brothers lightened the mood with hugs and handshakes all round. 
After a moving speech from Sidiki thanking us for being part of his dream and giving some information about his project in Africa - Denfari, we set about learning the first of the 4 new rhythms we need to master for our performance in on the 6th December.

The Kontaani band members naturally fell into their choice of instrument parts on either dundun or djembe.  Some of us are drawn to one or the other types of drums and others play both. Sidiki's wonderful teaching technique soon had us playing beautifully together and his whoops of happiness when we get it right is very infectious! 

After 4 hours of solid drumming we had more or less nailed two of the 4 new numbers. HOWEVER, I think it will be another matter when we attempt to play them at our weekly band rehearsals with no Sidiki, Baba and Yahs!

We were all utterly exhausted, and to think we were supposed to be having them over for the full day!  Sidiki and Baba were playing with Ballet Nimba that evening hence the shorter training time - thank goodness is all I can say!  
The Brothers were fasting for Ramadan so we all carried on through lunch but on several occasions our band were passing sweets amongst ourselves to keep our sugar and energy levels up!

A very productive and positive first day. One very happy but tired drumming band!  It has completely spurred us on and given us all just the push we needed. We are hungry for more. Bring it on!

From a very weary, happy drummer lady xxx

 

Tickets available on the door or register your interest - email marie@kontaani.net or txt to 07843816601 - £5 per person EXCITING Raffle News! Guess what? as well as the brand new DJEMBE and hat worth almost £200 I am very excited that we will soon have two more exceptionally wonderful prizes which will appeal to football fans, in particular MANCHESTER UNITED fans! So even if you are not into drumming, if you are a United fan you really DO need to buy a raffle ticket! I will come clean as soon as I have confirmation in writing but it's a biggie! You can reserve a raffle ticket for only £1 each in advance by commenting on this post but payment must be received before or at the performance - random numbers will be picked out for you unless you specify a lucky number..... There are a set amount of raffle tickets for sale and when they are gone they are gone. Gotta be in it to win it folks! You can purchase a ticket even if you are not attending the performance. The draw will take place during the performance and the winners will be contacted and announced on the facebook page and Kontaani website on Saturday 28th Feb.

The Brothers Tour

Kontaani are one of 4 UK drumming bands have recently won a major British Arts Council grant to train and perform with the 'Brothers' culminating in a final performance in the home town of each band. Our performance is on Friday 27th February at Ronnies Bar and Club, 84b Mill St, Macclesfield.

Who are 'The Brothers'?

Sidiki Dembele
Master drummer (djembefola) Sidiki is from the Ivory Coast and one of the UK's most respected African performers and tutors.
Sidiki plays with the highly revered Ballet Nimba.

Yahael Camara-Onono (Yahs)
Dundun Master from Mali

Baba Gale
Superb flautist with Ballet Nimba

The Brothers Tour has been a long standing dream of Sidiki's.
To encourage, train and work with existing groups in the UK to promote and improve the quality of West African music. To also give the opportunity for each group to perform with master musicians in their own town.

Groups were chosen for dedication, hard work and for their active work within the community to promote West African music.
At Kontaani I teach weekly drumming classes and one off workshops such as 'Introduction to djembe drumming' as well as inviting African and British tutors to come along to teach both my students and my band.
To have been included and given this amazing opportunity is wonderful and I thank all of those involved in securing the funding to enable us to take part, especially Nigel and Saskia.

My band have risen to the challenge, our playing has stepped up many gears and the journey will be documented on the blog below, dedicated to the Brothers Tour.

From the bottom of my heart - Thank you x