Brooklyn to come alive with West African music

Named Future Folklore, the group consists of musicians from Mali, Senegal, Ghana and the US. They will be paying tribute to Mande folklore.

The musicians are being brought together by Weedie Braimah and Luke Quaranta, both of whom are well known for playing West African music in the US.

“The pan-west African djembe ensemble of drums will take center stage with Braimah on lead djembe, Quaranta on dunun & kenkeni, and Themba Mkhatshwa on sangban,” says a statement. “Magatte Fall will add the Senegalese sabar drum and tamani, as well as djembe, while Nate Werthbrings congas and percussion into the mix. MonoNeon—the last bassist for the late musical legend, Prince—is set to hold down the low-end on bass, adding a special musical element to this worldly music extravaganza.”

Quaranta said several artists in Future Folklore have connections to West Africa and the US. “I think…in our unique way we are part of this tradition and moving it forward in this country,” he said.

“I want to show people what this music is about and how we are moving it into the future,” said Braimah. “For too long as percussionists, we are the last one hired and the first one fired. Percussive music of Africa and the Caribbean is at the root of much of American music, so I want djembe and djeli music to be respected and understood in this country.”

The Brooklyn Comes Alive festival will take place across three venues in Brooklyn: Music Hall of Williamsburg, Schimanski and the Brooklyn Bowl. The event will feature a long list of artists including George Poreter Jr., Alan Evans and Cyril Neville.