Greetings from up North

[bops]

Hi from Madison, WI!

I'm happy to have found this forum; it looks like a very cool online resource for us djembe-files. From browsing the threads, it is clear that there are some very knowledgeable folks frequenting this forum, so I look forward to swapping ideas and information...

I'm particularly fascinated by topics such as
-Different styles of djembe music
-Being creative v. being faithful to a tradition
-The implications of being a djembe player outside of Africa
etc, etc.

Madison is a small city, and our djembe/dance community is small but dedicated. We're close to Chicago, and we have a fairly large African community here, partly due to the University. We like to bring good teachers through. We have a company called WADOMA. I have posted some of our videos (and some that I have shot in Africa) on youtube. We also have a website, www.wadoma.com.

Again, I look forward to speaking with you all.

Paddy Cassidy

[James]

Hey Bops,

Welcome to the site.

All those thing interest me too, start a thread and lets talk.

Your website is beautiful and your videos are very impressive. It is clear you have worked very hard.

How long are you playing together as a group? Do you make your living playing with Wadoma?

I am interested in how you break down the roles in your band. Is there one person who promotes you, looks after money etc....

Looking forward to talking more....

James

[bops]

Thanks for the welcome and for the kind words about the group.

I would classify Wadoma as a semi-professional company. None of us make a living off the group - more like a labor of love, as they say. More about that later...

[rachelnguyen]

Wow!

Your site IS beautiful! And you guys look like you are having a blast together.

I, too, would love to know how long you've been playing together and how your organization works.

Inquiring minds want to know.

Welcome to the forum. James has a nice thing going on here!

All Love,
Rachel