Two UF musical ensembles celebrate West African and Brazilian music on April 11

April 11, 2008

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The College of Fine Arts School of Music, Center for World Arts, and University of Florida Center for African Studies present a joint West African and Brazilian concert by Agbedidi Jeliya and Jacaré Brazil, with special guest artists Tasana Camara, playing the kora, and Abou Sylla, playing the balafon.

Both groups will perform together in concert at 7:30 p.m. on April 11 at the University Auditorium. The concert will feature a special performance of Afro-Cuban rumba music and dance.

Founded in 2006, Agbedidi Jeliya is a music ensemble devoted to West Africa’s rich and diverse musical heritages. Led by Guinean balafon virtuoso Abou Sylla, the group frequently collaborates with visiting artists from Africa. The musical will also feature Tasana Camara, kora, and School of Theatre and Dance lecturer Mohamed DaCosta, playing the jembe.

Under the leadership of guest musical director Sylla, Agbedidi Jeliya was formed as an outgrowth of the Center for World Arts’ African music and dance group, Agbedidi Africa, an ensemble directed by DaCosta. Both groups perform music of the Mande people of West Africa. Sylla comes from a family of griots—poets and musicians who have traditionally been the historians and culture-bearers of the Mande. He is an accomplished player of the balafon, a Mande xylophone, appearing on numerous solo and ensemble recordings and performing internationally for many years.

The Brazilian music ensemble Jacaré Brazil will collaborate with Agbedidi Jeliya on several selections, and also perform separately. Jacaré Brazil will perform several traditional sambas, choros and other pieces. Under the direction of Welson Tremura and Larry Crook, the ensemble has been a key component of the School of Music since 1997.

Tickets are $10 for the general public and free for UF Students with a Gator One ID. Advance tickets available at the CPA Box Office, 352-392-2787, or at http://www.ticketmaster.com.