Through our efforts in spreading an awareness of the great cultural wealth of the peoples of West Africa, however, we have also hoped to promote a greater underlying message: that all peoples are equal, regardless of ethnicity, color, religious beliefs, gender, and so forth; despite our apparent differences, we are inherently connected to each other, our lives and fates intertwined in an elegant web. It is this, foremost, that we celebrate with our music…and for this reason that we are most disturbed by the current events in Guinea, West Africa, and are calling for your help and awareness.

Crisis in Guinea: Awareness Needed

It is with great sadness that we are learning of the great difficulties that our friends in Guinea, who have already lived in poverty and injustice for so long, are currently experiencing: On September 28, 2009, the Guinean military brutally cracked down on an unarmed population who were protesting military rule and junta leader Moussa Dadis Camara’s likely candidature for president. By many accounts over 150 unarmed people were brutally killed and more than 1200 injured by the military.

Peaceful demonstators had gathered to protest the possible presidential candidacy of the military junta’s leader, Captain Moussa Dadis Camara. Captain Camara had seized power in Guinea some 9 months ago in a bloodless coup following the death of Guinea’s previous president and military leader Lansana Conte. The stories of the senseless violence against the demonstrators are shocking. The population was met by a merciless attack by the military who fired live ammunition into the crowd, beat people with batons, and viciously raped women and girls in the streets.

A Show of Solidarity: What We Can Do

In response to these atrocities, and in a show of solidarity with the people of Guinea, we are encouraging all of our fans, supporters, friends and family to join us in raising awareness for the situation in Guinea, in support of a transition to the democracy that has eluded Guinea for the past 51 years of independence.

Some things you can do:

• write a lettor the editor of your local newspaper
• write to your elected representatives
• join the Guinea Solidarit?? Facebook group where you can sign an online petition in support of the Guinean people, stay connected on current developments, and learn more about what you can do
• post this on Twitter
• share this on Facebook

The addresses for your representatives can be found here:

House of Representatives | Senate

A sample letter template you can use, courtesy of the Guinea Solidarit?? group, can be found here.

Strong statements have been issued from the Secretary General of the United Nations, from the Security Council, from the European Union, Organization of African Unity, and from numerous other governments and human rights organizations around the world. We must encourage our own leaders in the U.S. to also take a strong stand against the brutal tyranny and wanton violence taking place in Guinea. While Guinea has traditionally been a relatively peaceful country, 51 years of dictatorship and gross mismanagement of government since independence has led to an unsupportable situation.

A Better World is Possible

With a belief in our interconnectedness of all beings on this globe, and the inherent respect for others that must come with it, the ultimate aspiration that we as musicians and performers have for our musical project is that we can, in our little corner of the world and with whatever influence we have, help inspire a real and true peace in the world — not a superficial peace based on ideals alone, but a peace that comes from a real understanding: when we oppress or harm another, we oppress and harm ourselves. When we work towards the betterment of others, we better the world for ourselves. Imagine, if all government policy were based on this principle, what we could achieve!

Thanks for taking the time to read this, and for any support, action, intent or prayers you can offer to help the people of Guinea.

In Peace and Rhythm,

Dave and the BBM Rhythm Ensemble

At least 58 people have been killed after troops in Guinea opened fire on an opposition rally, reports say.

A BBC correspondent says troops fired into protesters as they gathered in a stadium in the capital, Conakry.

About 50,000 people took part in the rally against Capt Moussa Dadis Camara, who seized power in the West African nation in a bloodless coup last year.

It was triggered by indications he is to reverse a pledge not to run in a presidential vote planned for January.

France has issued a statement strongly condemning the “violent repression” of opposition demonstrators in its former colony.

Eyewitness’ account

Doctors said at least 58 bodies had been brought to hospital, many with bullet wounds.

Reports say at least two opposition leaders have been arrested. “They just started to shoot people directly… They tried to kill us,” Sidya Toure, former prime minister and now an opposition leader, told the BBC’s Focus on Africa from a hospital.

He said he had been badly injured in the head, and was speaking secretly from the hospital’s toilet as the military was not allowing opposition members any contacts with the media.

The BBC’s Alhassan Sillah in Conacry says the demonstrators have now been dispersed, but the military is out in force mounting checkpoints on many roads.

He says some opposition leaders appear to have been arrested and journalists have been targeted by the security forces.

Read full post at news.bbc.co.uk

http://music.blackbearmoon.com

NPR’s Elizabeth Blair profiles Malian musician Salif Keita, one of the master’s of the “world music” movement. Keita moved back to Mali recently after living and working in France for 16 years. His new album is a return to the more traditional sounding music and features several rising musicians from Mali. Keita was shunned as a child because he is albino. He’s trying to help remove the stigma that many Africans attach to the genetic condition.

Listen to the interview here

Discussions aimed at fostering solidarity between Liberia and Guinea have taken place in Monrovia between President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and the Vice President of the Guinean military government, General Sekouba Konate.

Speaking Wednesday at the Foreign Ministry, the President assured the Government of Guinea of Liberia’s support.

Liberia, the President said, will continue to stand with Guinea, adding, “if Guinea has trouble, Liberia will have trouble.”

full story

There is no better way to beat cabin fever than a night of reggae on the beach. As Bob Marley’s band, The Wailers have sold over 250 million records worldwide. With a line up that consists of original members of Bob Marley’s band don’t miss some of the classics like “LIvely Up Yourself”, “Trench Town Rock”, “Get Up Stand UP” and “I Shot the Sheriff” just to name a few.

Tickets and info

The Black Bear Moon Rhythm Ensemble has been selected by the editors of New Hampshire Magazine as “Best of NH 2009” for African Beat/World Music. The winners in all categories will be feted at a celebration that each year draws more than 2,000 people. It’s happening on Thursday, June 25, at Manchester’s Verizon Wireless Arena from 6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Partygoers can sample gourmet food from dozens of restaurants, enjoy the entertainment and take a chance on thousands of dollars in door prizes — all celebrating the best New Hampshire has to offer.

“It adds up to one heck of a good time,” says Rick Broussard, editor of New Hampshire Magazine. “And, as a fund-raiser for the New Hampshire Food Bank, it’s for a good cause.”

One ticket buys you the whole evening of food, fun and music. To guarantee tickets, call (603) 868-7300, log on to www.ticketmaster.com or www.bestofnh.com.

Proceeds from the event will benefit New Hampshire Food Bank. The Food Bank, the largest non-profit food distribution center in the state, obtains and distributes donated and purchased food to 385 registered agencies that in turn provide the food to hungry people in New Hampshire through soup kitchens, food pantries, homeless shelters, and elderly and children’s programs.

New Hampshire Magazine is the state’s largest lifestyle magazine It is part of McLean Communications of Manchester, a publishing company that also includes New Hampshire Business Review, New Hampshire Home, Parenting NH, Boom!, and NH.com.

Black Bear Moon Rhythm Ensemble performs “Kassa” live at the Franklin Opera House, April 10, 2009.

Black Bear Moon Rhythm Ensemble performs “Saramalolo” live at the Franklin Opera House, April 10, 2009.

Showing at the Galletly Gallery in New Hampton, NH from January 15 - February 5, 2009, Sundiata’s Children portrays the people and cultural traditions of the Mandinka peoples of sub-Saharan Africa, through the art and photography of Dave Kobrenski.

Join us for a opening reception on Thursday, January 15, from 5:30 - 8:00 pm, featuring the live music of the Black Bear Moon Rhythm Ensemble, at the Galletly Gallery in New Hampton, NH.

Having traveled and studied extensively in West Africa, Dave shares his experiences and insight through his rich watercolor paintings and vibrant photographs. A visual and cultural excursion, Sundiata’s Children takes the viewer deep into the heart of the legendary king’s old empire to meet the people living there today.

Directions to the NHS Galletly Gallery here.

African flute, balafon, djembe and dunun drums, bolon, and more combine in these skillfully crafted renditions of traditional Mandinka rhythms and songs, from Guinea, West Africa.

After 10 years of study, 6 trips to Africa, 2 bouts of malaria, 1 emergency evacuation on a cargo jet, and 7 months in the recording studio, I’m proud (and relieved!) to say that the new Black Bear Moon Rhythm Ensemble CD is finally here!

More info, sound clips, and purchasing information here.

Entitled Wading into the River Djoliba, the full-length CD features 11 of our arrangements of traditional Mandinka rhythms and songs, performed on the tambin (African flute), balafon (wooden xylophone), djembe and dunun drums, bolon, and more.

A copy is waiting for you here!

About the Black Bear Moon Rhythm Ensemble

“Dazzling renditions of traditional Mandinka music, from Guinea, West Africa. Performed on djembe, tambin (African flute), balafon, dunun drums, bolon, and more.”

The Black Bear Moon Rhythm Ensemble’s performances feature the tight rhythm work and earthy traditional West African grooves for which they are becoming known throughout the northeast. The group’s uplifting performances combine a timeless sense of spirit and musical adventure with a deep respect and understanding for the musical form and the tradition from which it comes.

The group currently consists of Dave Kobrenski, Kerri Biller, Audrey Garretson, Doug Santaniello, Keith Doran, Alexis Eynon, and Loa Bersen. Alexis Katchmar performed with the group from 2002 - 2006.

Having studied with masters in Guinea and Ghana, West Africa, the Ensemble skillfully works instruments like the djembe, sangban, dununba, and kenkeni drums, as well as the tambin (an African flute, also known as the Fula flute), the aslatua (a cool little percussion instrument from Ghana), the krin (log drum), and more ??? weaving together an evening of music that audience members talk about long after the show.

The Black Bear Moon Rhythm Ensemble was founded by artist and musician Dave Kobrenski in 2001 in New Hampton, NH. Kobrenski, an accomplished musician, artist, and educator, studied traditional Mande music styles in Guinea, West Africa, with master musicians such as Famoudou Konat??, Nansady Keita, and other drummers of the region, over a six-year period of yearly sojouns into the Malink?? heartland in the Hamanah region of Guinea. Kobrenski also studied the tambin (know also as the fulani flute, a type of African flute) extensively with a master of the Malink?? flute tradition, Lancin?? Cond??.

The Black Bear Moon Rhythm Ensemble released their first album of music in 2008, entitled “Wading into the River Djoliba”, which features Kobrenski’s own arrangements of traditional Mande music.

Join the BBM Rhythm Ensemble for a special, high energy evening of music as the BBM Rhythm Ensemble joins forces with North Carolina Afro-beat funksters, the Afromotive at the historic Stone Church music club.

About BBM: “Dazzling renditions of traditional Mandinka music, from Guinea, West Africa. Performed on djembe, tambin (African flute), balafon, dunun drums, bolon, and more.”

About the Afromotive: Since 2004, The Afromotive has been laying down the unstoppable grooves, elastic horn lines and superb solos that produce the dense funk explosion that is the unmistakable sound of afrobeat music. “It’s sounds like James Brown’s band went to Africa.” Bringing funk music back to its African roots is precisely what the Afromotive is doing with their style of afrobeat music.

Based in Asheville, NC, this large ensemble stays true to the elements that started afrobeat music- West African rhythms, song forms, and instrumentation- while bringing the music to the 21st Century through strong song writing, improvisation, and heavy beats.

Thirty-third generation djembe player Adama Dembele from Cote d’Ivoire, West Africa brings his vast musical knowledge and touring experience to the Afromotive. These traditional West African rhythms combined with a mentality for upbeat funk music is what the Afromotive brings to its audiences. They have created a sound that crosses musical and ethnic boundaries.

Tickets available online at the Stone Church, or by calling 603-659-6321.

Directions available here.

We are very excited to be performing at this legendary music venue! This landmark club, in an 1825 old stone meeting house, has been the place to see live music in Seacoast New Hampshire for over 30 years. The club offers full bar and resaurant service, and features the finest in national, regional and local performers.

Schedule:

2 PM - West African Drumming Workshop (All- levels)
5 PM - Doors open for dinner/show
7 PM - BBM Rhythm Ensemble Performance

Tickets/More Info:

Tickets for the event can be purchased from the Stone Church at www.thestonechurch.com or by calling 603-659-6321.

Ticket prices are:

• Workshop: $15
• Performance: $8 adv, $10 day of show
• Workshop/Performance Combo: $20

Directions:

Directions can be found here, at the Stone Church website.

Some special options: Sign up for both the workshop and the six-week series and save $10! And for those of you with tight schedules, we’re offering the option to sign up for any four classes — or sign up for all six at once and save some cash.

More Info and Online Registration.

Kerri will guide participants through the movements to a traditional dance from ethnic groups such as the Malinke, Susu, and Baga of Guinea, and the Ga of Ghana, West Africa. Dancers will leave the events with an understanding of the dance and its relationship to the rhythm, along with the cultural background of the piece. Always to awesome live drumming, our dance workshops are a great way to stay fit and have lots of fun at the same time. All levels welcome.

We’re strongly encouraging folks to pre-register, as it saves time at the workshop and leaves us more time to DANCE. Also, space is limited and is first-come, first serve; the workshops will likely fill up — preference given to those who pre-registered.

All events will be held at the East Concord Community Center.

Complete information about these, including easy online registration can be found on our Classes and Workshops page.

A favorite on the playlist here at BBM headquarters is the self-titled album by the group Fula Flute, founded in 1999 by Canadian artist Sylvain Leroux, along with Bailo Bah, Famoro Dioubate and Keba Cissoko.

The “Fulani flute,” (or “tambin”) featured in this album, is specific to the Fouta Djallon highlands of Guinea (Conakry). Bailo Bah, the master tambin player you will hear, learned to play from his grandfather who initiated him to many secrets of nature and music. At the age of fifteen, after his grandfather’s passing, Bailo left his village to go, on foot, to Dakar, Senegal, to find his fortune, carrying one flute with him.

Now living in New York, Bailo is joined by Quebecois, Sylvain Leroux who plays the tambin as well — Bailo leading by ‘overblowing’ the instrument with vocalisms added similar to the way Ian Anderson, of Jethro Tull, used to shout into his flute. Along with West African kora and balafon, the two Fula flutists trade back and forth, improvise with, against and around each other, to great effect.

Bailo tells a legend about the birth of the tambin: A little orphan boy left to himself was toying with a piece of reed. After weeks of experimenting and playing, he invented the tambin. He climbed up in a tree, up in the Fouta Djallon and started to play. After pouring his heart out in his tambin for a while, he looked down and all the animals of the mountains where at the foot of the tree crying because of the beautiful music he was playing.

Where to Buy

CD Baby
Calabash Music

Track Listing:

1. Wali
2. Keme Bourema
3. Djandjou
4. N’dianamo
5. Chedo
6. Folinke
7. Bani
8. Douga
9. Teriya
10. Soundiata

More Info and Online Registration

These explorations into the rhythms and culture of West Africa through movement and dance are great fun for ALL levels and abilities, and are a great way to stay fit and energized. Live drumming provided by members of the BBM Rhythm Ensemble.

All workshops will be held at the East Concord Community Center, from 7:15 - 8:45, on the following Thursdays:

• October 25
• November 1
• November 8
• November 15
• November 29

We’re strongly encouraging folks to pre-register, as it saves time at the workshop and leaves us more time to DANCE. Also, space is limited and is first-come, first serve; the workshops will likely fill up — preference given to those who pre-registered.

Complete information about these, including easy online registration can be found on our Classes and Workshops page.

Frank was also here last spring — here’s what others had to say about the events:

“Frank offers unsurpassed cultural authenticity based in first-hand knowledge of the rhythms in their home environment, and energy like you’ve never seen. He was here in the Spring, did some workshops, and folks were FLAT-OUT BLOWN AWAY.”

We invite you to join us for this festive evening of drumming and dance, friends, and great food and drink. Music starts at 9 p.m. in the upstairs lounge — there’ll be ample space for dancing, and plenty of room for just kicking back, too!

• Where: Common Man, 60 Main Street, Ashland, NH
• When: Friday, October 5, 2007
• Time: 9:00 PM - 11:00 PM
• Directions:

About the BBM Rhythm Ensemble

The Black Bear Moon Rhythm Ensemble is a talented and energetic group of performers combining their skills to present and perform a unique and compelling selection of traditional West African rhythms and songs.

The Ensemble’s performances feature the tight rhythm work and earthy traditional West African grooves for which they are becoming known throughout the northeast. The group’s uplifting performances combine a timeless sense of spirit and musical adventure with a deep respect and understanding for the musical form and the tradition from which it comes.

Skillfully working instruments like the djembe, sangban, dununba, and kenkeni drums, as well as the African flute (also known as the tambin, or Fula flute), the krin (log drum), and more, the Ensemble weaves together an adventurous tapestry of highly danceable music that you won’t soon forget!

Pirate Regalia Required. BYOB highly encouraged. $3 door charge for the live music of the Black Bear Moon Rhythm Ensemble.

Directions to D Acres

• Where: Damon Hall, Hartland VT
• When: Saturday, September 22, 2007
• Cost: $10 suggested donation
• More info: Carol Stedman at (802) 296-2032
• Directions: Exit 9 off I-91. Head north on Rt. 5 to Hartland 3 Corners. Left on Rt. 12. Damon Hall on right

Help spread the word! Download a pdf flyer from Yellow House Media.

??? click for larger view
??2007 by Dave Kobrenski. all rights reserved

The 18” by 28” watercolor painting was completed in 2006, and depicts a modern-day festival in the village of Sangbarala, Guinea. Renowned djemb?? master, Famoudou Konat??, is depicted playing djemb?? in the foreground.

The painting took over a year to complete, and portrays the people of the village of Sangbarala. The likenesses of the people depicted were created with painstaking accuracy, and were based upon dozens of sketches and photographs that were made by the artist while staying in the village during the period of 2004-2006.

High-quality, full-size art prints of this painting are available from the artist. Please visit our marketplace if you are interested in purchasing one.

15% of all proceeds from the sales of theses prints will be donated to the Benkadi Project, an “effort to provide educational opportunities for children in Sangbaralla, Famoudou Konate’s home village in Guinea.”