Baba Shibambo is a Master Hand Drummer, an international touring performer and Recording Artist. He was born in South Africa, a Zulu. Shibambo translates into English as guardian of the skins, and the Shibambos were esteemed for their position as caretakers of the tribe's animal skins for clothing and most importantly for their drums, having vast amounts of land and many cattle, a sign of true prosperity.
Shibambo grew up during the Apartheid era. He began playing traditional African drums as a boy. Proceeding years found him touring internationally with South African stage productions, both musical and theatrical, even playing for Nelson Mandela. He is a multi-instrumentalist, playing percussion, African djembe, uudu, conga, marimba, mbira (kalimba or finger piano); even the haunting Bushman's bow.
Shibambo is preparing to release his second CD, "African Skin on Skin" Reflections of a South African Hand Drummer, in 2004. The CD features Shibambo playing all the indigenous African instruments himself, as well as performing all the vocals to the music he has created. It is a compilation of ancient African tribal rhythms; deeply hypnotic and mesmerizing. The listener embarks on a spellbound journey through rhythms and melodies intertwined with haunting, healing, often joyful, and always compelling vocals. Great dance songs abound! Shibambo successfully blends the age-old teachings of the elders of long ago Africa, with a reflection on his life through Apartheid era South Africa, and the more intimate personal trials in this modern-day world.
Shibambo is available on tour, performing his music as a solo artist, accompanied by his back-up band, or as a keynote speaker on diversity. His unique, "Safari Rhythm of Culture in the Classrooms", Project has been successful in a variety of educational settings. From pre-school to university, he is warmly received and always rewarded by the students' interest in cultural diversity and their eagerness to learn and play the instruments he introduces to them.
I've finally managed to get an edited version of "Heartbeat of Africa" onto my profile. The original version was too long... about 9min, but this one is only 4' 30''!
The original 9min version is available in itunes. Proceeds of the song go towards supporting the work of Childcare International in Kitgum, Uganda.
http://www.myspace.com/buscaja...................EL EMBRUJO MUNDO DE LA MARIMBA
MARIMBA: Instrumento de percusión elaborado en su teclado de chonta y sus canutos que hacen de resaltadores de guadua verde hembra
Quiero con esto enseñar la forma de oír la música de la marimba del sur pacífico Colombiano. Primero se debe cerrar los ojos, al sonar la melodía enfocar su vista al centro de su imaginación. La música empieza, al transcurrir la melodía siente que activas la inquietante vivas mantra, un color fuerte que aparece frente a tu imaginación y como mágico su golpear del instrumento percusivo va agrandando y alimentando adentrando al observador en un mundo místico y mágico. Esta, como poder, alimenta tu mantra de una forma directa enfocando al oyente a engrandar su ser. Claro que todas las melodías no tienen estas facultades mágicas, o poderes que maduran tu ser y que te lleva a entender de pronto lo que se llama FOTOGRAFÍA ANCESTRAL o INFORMACIÓN POR GENES concepto muy profundo que cerca de llevar al hombre a entender su motivo de existencia en si algo que El solo no ha podido llegar. Según el mantra que actives tendrás su respectivo resultado. Con ejercicios como respirar, concentración, el querer progresivo y la disciplina son algunas de las maquinarias claves de poder disfrutar la gran magia de la melodía de la marimba, para aprovechar en su totalidad su poder afrodisíaco. Imagina que eres tú el que ejecutas el instrumento y deja que suene en tu imaginación, observa ese brillante color que en cada momento que pasa se puede ir volviéndose mas grande, déjalo reposar hasta que penetre tú imaginación al centro de tu poder interior sin obstruir el proceso, déjate llevar para que al final puedas vivir y no morir. Estoy seguro que por lo menos presentaras la sensación de relajamiento, como prueba de un buen trabajo.
koman i lè = How are doing(in Reunion island Creole). It's a pleasure to come across you and your music. Keep up the good job. Get a taste of my Reunion island music on my page whenever u want. Peace. YELA
