BedStuy Ewe / West African Sounds of New York

BedStuy Ewe / West African Sounds of New York Presented by Terraza 7

Date: Saturday, September 21st, 2024.

Time: 7:00pm.

Admission: $20: Cover at Mezzanine.

Featuring:

• Amino Belyamani / Atsimevu (lead drum); Sogo; Kroboto
• Misra Iltus / Dance, Kaganu, hand claps
• Damion Corideo / Sogo; Kidi; Kaganu
• Qasim Naqvi / Sogo; Kidi
• Sam Minaie / Axatse (shaker); hand claps
• Ochion Jewell / Gankogui (Bell)

About BedStuy Ewe:

This is a percussion ensemble led by Amino Belyamani that performs traditional West African pieces from the Anlo-Ewe speaking people of Ghana, Togo, and Benin. Some pieces are several centuries old and due to strong beliefs and informal oral education, many pieces have kept their traditional integrity. The members of the ensemble are all disciples of master Ewe drummer Alfred Kwashie Ladzekpo whom they learned the music from. BedStuy Ewe are currently residing in Brooklyn, New York.

About Amino Belayamani:

Amino is a Moroccan-born pianist, composer, and multi-instrumentalist renowned for his innovative blend of jazz, minimalism, and traditional Moroccan music. Growing up in Casablanca, Belyamani began playing piano at six and quickly established himself in national and international competitions. He is a founding member of Dawn of Midi, an acoustic trio celebrated for their genre-defying album “Dysnomia,” which merges minimalist rhythms with intricate jazz structures.

Belyamani is also a key figure in Innov Gnawa, a Grammy-nominated ensemble that preserves and performs Gnawa music, a spiritual genre rooted in Morocco’s African heritage. His work with Innov Gnawa and collaborations with artists like Bonobo highlight his ability to fuse traditional and contemporary sounds, making him a significant presence in the global music scene. Belyamani’s music is characterized by its rich diversity, seamlessly integrating African, Arabic, classical, and jazz influences into a unique and compelling sound.