Artists
Album Info
Release Date: 1994Label: Ladyslipper
Drum CallNurudafina Pili Abena (pron: Noo'-roo-dah-fee'-nah Pee'-lee Ah-bay'-nah)
"Rhythm is life. Vibration is breath. The heartbeat is the core of one's being." So says Nurudafina Pili Abena, congera, djembe player, and Afro-Caribbean and West African percussionist. Of multi-racial parentage, Nuru grew up in the multi-ethnic South End of Boston giving her an appreciation of people and cultures of many backgrounds. With her first set of bongos at age eight, she knew she'd be a drummer some day. When she was ten she received a scholarship to the famous Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts and she began study with master drummer Babatunde Olatunji, who commuted to Boston to teach black children "authentic African drumming, songs from Yoruba culture and black identity."
A performer of Afro-Cuban folkloric music, traditional Malian and Senegalese West African spiritual and festive music, West Indian calypso, jazz and U.S. popular music, Nuru's musical credo embraces both permanence and change. Permanence is represented by her focus on the spiritual centeredness of ancient forms and oral traditions, especially from the Yoruba ad Eastern religions. Change is expressed in her experimental fusion of traditional rhythmic forms with contemporary musical styles. She is careful to note that her Universal Vibrations School of Oral Traditions keep the continuity of tradition as its touchstone while orienting itself to the present and future.
She supports her elders ("We have a singing traditional religion") by using the drum as a vehicle to organize and communicated her message of peace and harmony amongst all peoples, regardless of sex or race. "Everyone must drum and dance to shake off the negative vibrations that exist in the world today..." Nuru has felt blessed and privileged to play with notable male and female drummers including Baba Olatunji, Ibrahima Camara, Orlando "Puntila" Rios, Los Muñequitos de Matanzas, Grupo Afro Cuba de Matanzas, Edwina Lee Tyler, and Nana Korantema.
To return to her origins, Nuru has travelled to Kenya, Cuba and Senegal. "This pilgrimage home for many African-Americans is a very significant spiritual journey that must be made at least once in one's lifetime." Warm receptions and respect for her gifts as a percussionist from folkloric groups validated her approach toward the African and Afro-Cuban rhythms that she loves.
Music over her own role and what lies ahead, Nuru says, "North Americans are learning slowly to love some of the 'world music'. Now they must learn to love and respect the world's people who accompany their rituals and beliefs with this music."
Opening Prayer
All Praises be unto the ancestors
and those who had the vision to pursue
this destiny of truth and light
May their blessings be upon us in everything we do.
Asé-o
Dedication
IBAYE: Benjamin Phillipo, "Montongo," Ana Bi Osun, Kike Santiago