This group is truly a collective of ideas and diversity. Barabajaba has been performing throughout East Hawaii for over 2 years. November 8th, 2008 marks the release of our debut CD "Rise Up", an incredibly diverse and unique approach to folkloric percussion. We are thrilled to present this project to the world. In order to offer our full musicianship and soul, all tracks were recorded live without looping.
Ultimately we are a dance band, our vision is to create musical journeys to take our listeners on a ride through many landscapes of percussion and voice. Like an artist with a pallet of many colors, Baraba-Jaba's music is a painting of beauty based on traditions from around the world. We mix the colors on our pallet, a little from this continent, a little from that region of the world, and as a result our sound is born. We combine music styles from Cuba, Brasil, West Africa, India, Haiti, and also a bit of our own sound. Our goal is to continue to elevate these styles of percussion to the level of respect and musical appreciation that they so deserve. We are known for featuring a handful of special guests both on stage and in the studio. Our music is consistently rehearsed and refined balancing dynamics, virtuosity, and infectious groove. It is our intention every time we play to present a consciousness-raising party to the global village that will make you move your body, shake your soul, and dance your troubles away. Much loving gratitude to our teachers and the profound language they so graciously share with us. To all drum masters of the past who have kept the rhythm, knowledge, and heartbeat of the planet... and passed it on.
JESSE SEYMOUR has established himself as a talented, innovative and diverse percussionist. A graduate of the Berklee College of Music, he currently resides on the Big Island of Hawaii where he teaches and performs regularly. Jesse began playing drum set at the age of fifteen. Shortly thereafter he acquired a Conga and a Djembe and was immediately enamored with the richness and complexity these instruments held. From that moment on he has committed what is now fifteen years of his life to extensive study of numerous percussion styles from Cuba, West Africa, Haiti, Puerto Rico, Brasil, Nigeria, Ghana, and the Congo. Seymour has studied and performed with numerous master percussionists including Giovanni Hidaalgo, Ernesto Diaz of Mango Blue and La Timba Loca, Eggui Castrillo Conguero for Arturo Sandoval, Reynaldo Gonzales of Groupo Afro Cuba, and Mohammed Diaby Master Djembefola from Guinea West Africa. He has traveled to the Caribbean and Brasil in pursuit of his studies as well as New York, Boston, and the San Francisco Bay Area. He is known for his ability to play with precision in traditional contexts, as well as to bring the rich African roots into both experimental and contemporary music. In addition, Jesse can be found collaborating with top Dj’s blending his grooving and melodic conga playing with many electronic styles. As of 2007 Jesse joined the roster of great percussionists endorsing Volcano Percussion, the Hawaii based company producing the worlds finest Congas, Bata and Bongo. Over the past few years he has proven himself a mature and innovative bandleader. In his Boston based Latin Jazz group Septeto Tumbao, Seymour arranged his own compositions as well as classic Jazz standards with the complex rhythms of Cuba. Also, he recently formed a spectacular Cuban style percussion group known as Tambito. This show incorporates original compositions, drum dialogs, burning solos, and the music of Santeria. Seymour has shared the stage with many well known artists such as Celia Cruz, Mohammed Camara(Tata Denke)), Eggui Castrillo(Tito Puente Tribute Orchestra), Baaba Mall, Rolando Sanchez(Salsa Hawaii), Ray Vega(Orchestra La Pasion), Moussa Bangoura(Sewa Fare), Reynaldo Gonzales(Raices Negras), Assane and Ousseynou Kouyate(Griots Kouyate), and Erin Harpe(Lovewhip). He has played in top venues including Lincoln Center NYC, BBC London, Carnival Center Miami, Holland Music Festival, Casa De Musica Oporto Portugal, Maritime Hall San Francisco, House of Blues, Cambridge Ma. In addition to his vast performing experience Jesse has recorded on numerous albums including “Rise Up”, Naked Drummer Studios, “Yerewolo”, Tata Denke and Mali Music Productions, “Live Booty Pop” and “Bouncehall” Juicy Juju Records, “Salsa from Hawaii” Quiet Storm Records, “Dissent” Wide Hive Productions, “Soul Retrieval” ROG Records, and “Tribute” First Circle Productions. Seymour currently tours the world regularly with Orchestra La Pasion Segun San Marcus led by internationally acclaimed composer Osvoldo Goljov. He continues to use his diverse knowledge of rhythm to participate in some of the most cutting edge music of this time.
MICHAEL PLUZNICK is a life long lover of music, ethnic culture, drums and percussion. He has been studying, performing and teaching drumming and percussion from the African diaspora since 1976. He has traveled around the world several times and lived and studied in Mali and Guinea West Africa, Brazil, Puerto Rico, India and Cuba. He has produced his own award winning CD's on several labels (www.michaelpluznick.com) and also produced a series of CD's from Mali West Africa which are available at earthcds.com. He has also been recorording with a variety of musicians with great pleasure and success for over 25 years. He has collaborated with Todd Rundgren, Jerry Garcia and Mickey Hart ( both of The Grateful Dead),Clarence Clemmons (Bruce Springsteen), Raul Rico (Santana) and Jim Chappell, among others.
He was one of three premier soloists in Bay Area's Bolakada Condes Les Percusions Melenke West Arican percussion ensmble and now performs in Barababja and Blend in Hawaii.
PETER "PEDRO" DE JESUS is a high priest in the tradition of "Santeria". Pedro, also known as "Obinde Omo Yesa" has studied and performed across the globe and is a powerful healer, profound psychic and accomplished vocalist.
YAGBE ONILU, Santero, master drummer and vocalist, educator, and long time member of the thriving S.F. Bay drum scene.
CRAIG KOHLAND is a multi-percussionist, performer, music and film producer. Owner of the Shaman's Dream Music Collective and producer of 10 Shaman's Dream Albums. Craig has also co-facilitated over 400 ecstatic dance/world music journeys since 1996 called "Zen Dancing Ritual Concerts" www.shamansdreammusic.com.
BOAZ MARTIN, also multi-percussionist has been studying and performing for over 20 years in Hawaii and abroad. Boaz has become an accomplished Tabla player bringing the mystic music of North India to our repitiore. He has studied with numerous masters from all over the world. In addition, Boaz plays the Berimbao, a single stringed bow instrument used in the music of Capoeira.
Influences
Babatunde Olatunji, Mamady Keita, Miguel "Anga" Diaz, Los Munequitos de Mantanzas, Groupo Afro Cuba, Changuito, Bolokada Conde, Famadou Konate, Miles Davis, Olodum, Clave Y Guanguanco, Los Papines, Ruben Blades, Oscar D'Leon, El Grand Combo, Kissima Diabate, Giovanni Hidalgo, Elvin Jones, Karamba Diabate, Fela Kuti, Beija Fleur, Abilona, Cachao, Los Van Van, Epizo Bangoura, Kounbanan Conde, Abdoulaye Diakate, Ara Ketu, Abdoul Doumbia, Mohammed "Jo" Camara, Zakir Hussein, Thelonious Monk, Jerry Gonzales, Mongo Santamaria, Richie Flores, Timbalada, Chano Pozo, Daniella Mercury, Ignacio Berroa, Baaba Maal, Toumani Diabate, Mohammed Diaby, John Coltrane, Chick Corea, Maraca, Eddie Palmieri, Bob Marley, Michael Spiro, Yerba Buena, Francisco Aguabella, Tito Puente, Marc Quinjones, Chucho Valdez, Celia Cruz, Horracio "El Negro" Hernandez, Max Roach, Patato, Ray Barretto, Tata Guines, M'Bemba Bangoura, Youssou N'Dour, Tony Williams, Yoruba Andabo, Milton Cardona, Orestes Vilato...........
Thank you for add friends! I am overjoyed by your musical expressions, and ethnic fusion. also. Will you let me know if you ever Put any of your CD's on Amazon? or does Cdbaby accept Paypal as well? I intend to by your album in the next few months.
(on a cd note, i think it's funny you guys also know Nadishana.... What an interesting world...!)
As always, a great pleasure playing and dancing with you! It was a great new year's gig, love our collaborations! blessings and more beautiful creations in the new year!
