The
Wambara Newsletter
This
page features the works and offerings of many different people from
a variety of walks of life. We celebrate these people, their works,
their specialties, and we include their emails and urls where possible.
If you know anyone who you feel should be included in the Wambara
Newsletter, please contact us here. Hope you enjoy this offering.
Last updated 3/30/2006
 Singer/songwriter
Sara Tavares belongs
to a second generation of Africans on the rise in the Portuguese
and international musical panorama. Her new album, Balancê's
artistic sophistication transforms this Cape Verdean star into one
of the most distinctive representatives of musical hybrids as expressed
in Lisbon. Stripped of the superfluous, these songs are expressly
organic and emotionally pure. Special guests are Júlio Pereira,
Melo D, Boy Gê Mendes, André Cabaço, and Ana
Moura.
Kelly
Takunda Orphan has
been on a long and wondrous musical journey beginning with her Armenian
roots to the percussion driven music of West Africa, Zimbabwe and
the Caribbean. This, her first recording, reveals a rare breed of
musician who carefully and respectfully fuses together music of
disparate cultures. The vocals are warm and lush—the rhythm
tracks will make you want to dance!” You can reach her here.
Elias Negash
Elias' musical journey extends many decades that have taken him across
many lands. Inspired by his mother who was also a pianist, Elias formed
his first group in the 1960's.
Elias has had an eclectic musical background where he has combined
his native Ethiopian music, with his Jazz education, and other influences
from the world music segment. World.
He later made his television music debut with Murder She Wrote and
Natalie Cole's Big Break productions. Elias was also the composer
for the Soundtrack of the show Glitz starring Jimmy Smith and Markey
Post with the Magyk band. To learn more, visit here
 Unity
Nguyen,
vocalist and multi-instrumentalist draws on many traditions from
around the world. Her music weaves together various languages and
instruments, including the dan tranh (16-string zither of Viet Nam);
and the kora (21-string harp of West Africa). Visit the CALENDAR
to catch a performance. Unity performs solo, or with various forms
of her Unity Nguyen Ensemble. She also collaborates with a number
of hot world music and dance groups.
Unity also shares her passion by teaching music-movement to diverse
audiences. These classes range from several weekly programs for
pre-schoolers, to drum workshops with youth at risk, to private
lessons with adults.
Besides performing and teaching music, Unity holds a Master’s
degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Her email is here.
Her website is here.
Larry Ukali Johnson Redd
Larry Ukali Johnson-Redd, born 1952, in San Francisco, CA, graduated
from San Francisco’s Balboa High School in 1970 and entered
University of San Francisco and received a B.A. in 1974 in Political
Science and Ethnic Studies (African American). His quest for education
continued at Golden Gate University in San Francisco where he received
a Masters in Public Administration 1976 (MPA).
His latest books, History to Destiny through
afro centric poetry and Loving Black Women
are very popular. They can be found here.
For more information about Larry Ukali Johnson-Redd or his book,
go to his website.
Opal Palmer Adisa, Ph.D.
Opal is a compassionate teacher, accomplished storyteller,
gifted diversity trainer, and celebrated writer whose work is described
by the novelist Alice Walker as “Solid, visceral, important
stories written with integrity and love.”
Opal is an award winning poet, literary critic, prose writer, storyteller
and artist, and is an internationally acclaimed lecturer and artist.
This Jamaica-born writer is author of several books of poetry and
stories for both adults and children; Leaf-of-Life is her most recent
poetry collection, and her latest novel is entitled It Begins With
Tears.
Her phone is 1 510 383-9883 You can visit her website
here.
 Gloria
Purter
Velvety
Smooth is how she do it - Early in the morning her flow is hypnotic
and fluid – late at night when the time is right – she
rocks the party till the early light.
Sweet
like herseys chocolate kisses – Her flow is melodic –
it ‘taint missin. Comin’ straight fo your head –
she brings her charm to the show. She’s velvety smooth all
over the microphone.
Smooth
like butta – so I’m told. Rich like diamonds, more solid
than gold – smoothed out harmonies with lot’s of pizzazz.
She’s velvety smooth funky-style jazz.
“Sometime
ago I learned that I could write and that process would heal my
wounds, strengthen my resolve, nurture my spirit and provide a window
to what is inside of each of us – we share the human experience
and I write” -Glo
Glo
has been perfecting her funky style jazz around Sacramento nightspots
for the past several years. She has performed at the Heritage Festival,
the California State Fair, Mahogany Poetry Series, The Show Poetry
Series, Luna’s Café, Featured on the Public Access
Sacramento Show “Moore time for Poetry” Winner of the
Jazz Artist of the Year SOS Music Awards 2001. LA Black Music Awards
Show
Glo
has performed solo and with several bands over the years. “Light
Years” a contemporary gospel group, “The Payback”
an R&B group patterning themselves after some of the soul artist
of the 60’s and 70’s. Gladys Night and the Pips, Aretha
Franklin, and James Brown to name a few. The “Bub Sextet”
an acid jazz fusion group gave way to Glo coming out as a spoken
word writer and artist. Most recently Glo is writing and performing
with Capital City Artists Collective which is a non-profit organization
whose mission is to reach out to the artist’s community and
provide a nurturing environment and support for the artists’
development. She is working on her 2nd CD project soon to be released.
The first project titled “Island Paradise” was well
received.
Stay
tuned for Glo: She’s a smooth operator! Gloria Purter's address:
1500 W El Camino Ave, #614, Sacramento, CA 95833 Her phone is 916-501-4641.
Her e-mail is here.
Lura
“Listen
to Lura.” And then go and see her on stage, plunging herself
body and soul into her art, pure Creole beauty with a startling
voice. Although she says that her theatrical experience with the
Plano Seis company has helped her greatly on stage, I am still convinced
that her basic performing talent is innate.
It mainly lies in her passion and youthful energy, and – of
course – the fantastic power of her truly unique voice, a
gift she took years to accept. “I thought my voice was awful,”
she says. “I was even ashamed to sing Happy Birthday.”
Born in Lisbon in 1975, she discovered her Cape Verdean identity
(while remaining fully Portuguese) through the Creole she learnt
with her friends at school. Today, she is proud to speak and write
her songs in a deep Creole from the heart of the islands. As a child,
she wanted to be a dancer. Later, she taught swimming. Finally,
music drew her from the water. Unlucky for her pupils, but very
fortunate for all of us who listen to her today.
Once, when the world was still limitless and enigmatic, nervous
cartographers noted the legend “here be dragons” on
the edges of their maps. As I look into the future – just
as those ancient cartographers looked at the world – I can
confidently write on Lura’s map “here be great light:
the radiance of a great singer”.
To visit her site go here.
Oumou Dioubate
Oumou Dioubate comes from Kankan, Guinea. Her mother was a well
known Griotte and singer, and Oumou began singing at the age of
7. When the mother suddenly died Oumou, then 13, took her place
in the traditional "Kankan Ensemble". The teenager then
married a relative who was a teacher and musician, and the couple
moved to Conakry, Guinea's capitol. There they formed the band,
Les Messagers de Morfing, and Oumou began to develop a more modern
singing style. Many believe she went too far with her modernity,
but Oumou Dioubate had decided to go her own way and, in the mid
1980s, relocated to Paris. It was there that she had her breakthrough
as a backing singer for Ismael Lo, on his "N'Diawar" album.
The producer Ibrahim Sylla heard
her and decided to make a solo album with her ("Lancey"
– Sterns Africa). The album was a great success in Guinea
in the 1990s when, after a long pause, it was finally released.
The reason for the delay was Oumou Dioubate's provocative lyrics.
She sings, among other things, that she will perform a traditional
dance - naked - in order to become pregnant. When she returned from
Paris it was impossible for her to live together with her husband.
She earned sufficient money from "Lancey" to enable her
to buy a new house for herself and her child.
Oumou Dioubate is a much
discussed and disputed artist in Guinea and has had to withstand
many rumors and personal attacks for her modern and open style.
For more information, go here.
Anna Maria Flechero
Even though she was raised by her grandmother, Big Mama, singer/songwriter
Anna Maria was heavily influenced by her mother, Leola, a pianist
and choir leader for several local churches. She was also influenced
by the remarkable voices she heard coming from these choirs. This
music would be the beginning of Anna Maria’s musical journey.
As a child, Anna Maria’s mother always encouraged her to sing,
play the piano and perform in church plays. Her song, Just Because,
was inspired by her mother.
To visit her website, go here.
Emmanuel
Nado
Echoes
of Africa
 Welcome
to Echoes of Africa radio station 91.5 KKUP.
The program is an exciting weekly 3 hour radio music magazine that
features and highlights African music in all its forms and styles.
This long running program is a staple of KKUP programming. Hosted
by Emmanuel Nado,
a native of Cote d'Ivoire West Africa, Echoes of Africa is aired
every Monday afternoon beginning at 3pm. Nado
brings to KKUP listeners an informative and musical experience from
the continent that never stands still. Africa's musical influence
on the world is without question. The myriad of sounds and styles
out of Africa are heard on Echoes of Africa. When you tune in each
week you'll be part of a musical journey that takes you through
the heart of Africa. Our mission here is to entertain as well educate
the listeners.
The first hour begins with traditional music from various regions
of the continent; music played on indigenous instruments, rituals
and a variety of ceremonial songs and music are spotlighted.
The second hour features news from the continent with the perspectives
of the African Diaspora, information from the communities, interviews
of touring and/or local African artists, and cultural happenings
in and around the U.S.
The last segment of the program is devoted to the current dance
music scenes. When you tune in at this time you'll hear the latest
South African street beat of Kwaito and you'll hear Mbanquanga,
the music that energized many of the liberation movements in southern
Africa. Congolese lightening guitar music called Soukous, along
with its new version Ndombolo, travels to the feet of listeners
as they hear the foremost exponents of the style Koffi Olomide,
Wenga Musica, Extra Musica, Soukous Stars and a host of Congolese
bands doing their things. You'll also hear Africa's! number one
rumbero Sam Mangwana. To visit his site, go here.
 Educator,
writer, and translator, Ken Blady
was born in Paris, France, and grew up in Hassidic Brooklyn, where
he attended yeshiva and rabbinical seminary. A San Francisco Bay
Area resident since 1972, Ken has a B.A. in History from the University
of California at Berkeley, and an M.A. in Clinical Counseling from
California State University, Hayward. He is the author of "The
Jewish Boxers' Hall of Fame," "Jewish Communities in Exotic
Places”; and translator of "The Journeys of David Toback."
A
popular lecturer on a variety of Jewish themes at colleges, synagogues,
elder hostels, and adult educational institutions, Ken has been
featured on a number of radio and T.V. talk shows, most recently
on The History Channel documentary, "Operation Magic Carpet,"
which deals with the airlift of the Jews of Yemen to Israel.
He
is currently a lecturer in Jewish History on the faculty of the
University of Judaism's Department of Continuing Education and Shurgin
Elder Hostel Program.
Ken
lectures extensively on a variety of African Jewish communities,
including the Beta Israel of Ethiopia, the Berber Jews of North
Africa, the Lemba of Zimbabwe and the Abayudaya of Uganda.
His website is here, and
he can be emailed here.
 Message
from Samba Ngo Manu
at Africa No. 1 in Paris.
Dear
Friends,
After spending the past four months in Paris, I have returned to
the Bay Area! Living again in Paris was a fantastic. Not only was
I able to spend time with old friends--and wonderful new friends--I
performed with my new band (based in Paris), worked on my upcoming
cd, and finished a compilation of my music that will be released
shortly.
I especially want to thank my hosts, Christian and Robert Brazza
and Donny Mahoukou, for their generosity and bon humor. Christian,
Robert and Donny are young Congolese men, born and raised in Paris,
and doing great things for African musicians in Europe. I'm proud
of their commitment to African music and thankful for their support.
Merci beaucoup, Christian, Robert and Donny!
I also want to thank my good friend Lokua Kanza for his exceptional
company; if you haven't heard his latest release, Plus Vivant, you
must. Hear a clip by going here.
Please help celebrate my return home by coming to Ashkenaz on Saturday,
January 21. And please check my schedule once and awhile for upcoming
shows.
I'd love to see you!
- Samba
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