Here information about the master of West-African classical percussion music : biography, concerts, recordings, ensemble performances, teaching, theoretical and practical courses, musical instruments, workshops, study travels to Guinea Conakry, development and children aid projects for Guinea Conakry — Contact to Mr. Alpha Oulare! *
INGOLSTADT / BAVARIA. On June 24th Alpha Oulare and the Rootsmanding ensemble attended once again a public concert performance at the Bavarian Africa Festival at Ingolstadt, this time accompanied by a performance of the African Acrobats. Here some photographs from that day:
IN OLD UNITY THESE THREE MUSICAL ARTISTS AND FRIENDS
The West-African Ensemble Rootsmanding are in core: Alpha Oulare – Diehi Tanguy Franck – Sam Jarju, here in Ingolstadt, June 2022
Other Impressions from the 2022 Ingolstadt Africa Festival … It had been rather cold this year…
HERE A LONG OSTINATO FOR THE SKILLFUL AFRICAN ACROBATS FROM GHANA …
Guests and in background the stageFestival stage during a sound-checkOther performers at night timeThe Festival stage during sound check / end of another concert performance
Next german Africa Festival concerts of the Rootsmanding ensemble:
RUDOLSTADT / THURINGIA. On two days the Rootsmanding ensemble will grant public performances at the famous Rudolstadt Roots, Folk and Worldmusic Festival (July, 9th and 10th, 2022, in the evening hours). We thank Mrs. Claudia Kästner for her sympathy, support and concrete help.
Postscriptum: Alpha Oulare and the Ensemble Rootsmanding finally did not perform at Rudolstadt in this year 2022 — read here for more explanations and a review of else participating African musicians.
LEIPZIG / WEST SAXONY. We use the opportunity to advert also for the two-day International Inter- and Sociocultural Africa Festival 1000 DRUMS at Leipzig, on July 30th and 31st, 2022. Alpha Oulare will be present on both days, performing with the Rootsmanding ensemble and directing / introducing into the Free Interactive Community Concert of the 1000 Drums jam session all guest are invited to bring own instruments with them for. This festival had been established in 2019 and is supported by the Cultural Office of the City of Leipzig.
(German-Language information from the YILP International Festival staff — click onto text to read the festival website blog 1000 Drums)
We advise to consult the Internet Encyclopedia Wikipedia to introduce into the musical instrument Djembé at first, several other literature exists on West-African Percussion Musical Arts and Culture…
Screenshot from the English Wikipedia entry for Djembé (6-27-2022)
(Origin –
Recent history
(National ballets, Emigration, Film, Western music, Recordings, Educational material, Tourism, Commercially produced instruments, Women djembefolas) –
Sound and beating technique –
Role in the traditional ensemble – Construction (Shell,
Skin,
Rope,
Mounting system (Traditional mounting,
Modern mounting)) –
Tuning –
Decoration –
Study –
Notable djembefolas –
Selected recordings –
See also –
References –
Further reading –
External links) — Traduire automatiquement!
Without further annotations, but referring to international review and critics, we allow us here to include the truely enlightening documentary films by M. Laurent Chevalier »Djembefola« (1991) and »Mögöbalu« (1998) on the Guinean Master Drummer legend Mister Mamady Keïta (August 1950 – June 21st, 2021) — May he rest in Peace! In fact Alpha Oulare used to be student of Mamady Keita in his youth. We hope to be able by this reference to provoke deeper interest and understanding of these West-African Musical Arts and Culture as well as thanking Alpha Oulare’s former teacher Mister Mamady Keïta (The King).
FRENCH MUSIC DOCUMENTARY (translated subtitles available)
»I left my village Balandugu when I was 12 years old and returned after 26 years. This documentary was filmed when I make the trip back to Balandugu. I am sharinging it now with the world in hope that this inspires you and gives you the strength you need to continue your passion in this life.« (From the official Google Inc. YouTube channel° of Mamady Keïta and heirs — might he be remembered for long times…)
(° Postscriptum 19.10.2024: Google Inc. YouTube video references updated; now from two different sources, as the original Youtube film had disappeared / been removed(?). Please let us know future changes in this!)
MUSIC ALBUM: One by him is Mamady Keïta & Sewa Kan: Hakili (2011, BandCamp-distributed):
»To celebrate 50 years of his musical year, master percussionist Mamady Keïta embarked on a European tour with an expanded line-up his group Sewa Kan, adding balafon, kora and saxophone to the percussive core. The group played to tens of thousands across nine countries during summer 2009 and this CD and DVD provide an outstanding souvenir. The title Hakili, meaning good spirit, proves apt. Mamady’s career started when he was chosen, aged just 14, to join the newly formed National Ballet of Guinea — the major state-sponsored cultural troupe in the country. He went on to become Artistic Director and stayed with the Ballet for 20 years. He then moved to Belgium and formed Sewa Kan shortly after. His time is now spent teaching and playing from his new base in the USA. He has released nine albums with his group and several instructional DVDs. The CD (70 mins) was recorded during the tour; the DVD (100 mins) at the Jazz Sous Les Pommiers festival in France.
Musicians : – MAMADY KEÏTA : djembe solo, djembe bass, vocals & band leader – BABARA BANGOURA : djembe, backing vocals – SOULEYMANE “COBRA” CAMARA : djembe, kenkeni & kora – BABA TOURE : djembe, calabash, gongoma – MONETTE KEÏTA : kenkeni, djembe – CECE KOLY : sangban – YOUSSOUF TRAORE : dunumba – MAMA ADAMA CAMARA : dance & backing vocals – BEBEY YOULA : dance & lead vocals – KANDET DIOUBATE : dance & lead vocals – PRINCE DIABATE : kora & vocals – DJELIMADY KOUYATE : balafon – MANU HERMIA : flute & saxophone«.
(Annotation from the Discographies service, there more releases enlisted — please support the Artists!)
PRODUCT COMPARISON: Find here a list of eBay search results (that is were many searches of vendors and private sellers start) for the search term “Djembe” (drums) to be precise in example, as comparison against the original West-African drums from first-hand professional African manufacturers offered here at this website by Alpha Oulare! … We suppose that you will find by this reasons enough better to contact and rely to Mister Alpha Oulare when searching for an authentical, new, good soundingindividualmusical instrument from West Africa that is in good condition and can be maintained, repaired, extended by the seller and his professional partners, that are all African musicians.
MERCATORY OFFER: These are photographs from the Rehearsal and Workshop rooms of Alpha Oulare and his musical colleagues at the Hupfeld Center area in Leipzig (district Leipzig / Böhlitz-Ehrenberg, D-04157, Ludwig-Hupfeld-Straße 16, building entrance C; the building complex is guarded by security corporations), no concrete online shop… If certain instruments awake your interest, if you have been searching for the approbiate musical device for long and to find here, if you wish musical demonstrations, need help on repair and further modifications as tuning and enhancement / decoration you can contact Alpha Oulare directly to make an appointment into a concrete meeting at this place… Have a look into this living collection (technical note: images might possibly load slowly here at first if not having been cached yet):
Djembé drums from West AfricaThese Djembé drums sound good!They here stand alike eight men.On top here Kalimba / Kalebasse drum.Doundoun, Sangba, Tenkenin, tools…Bolong 4-string harp, in goat fur.Kora, N’Goni and Bolong harps, more…All instruments are handled carfully!Shakers / Shereke, tools…Not for sale: Awesome Tapes from Africa.A view through our window…Occasional here also recordings…(Visual impressions)
A few more images shall follow. The Balafon, so it is said by musical West-African legends, has not been invented / first-made by Man himself, it is of supernatural origin… Underneath its wooden and tuned sound bars lay resonating jugs of clay each to create this fascinating rich sounds. A short audio sample recording of Alpha playing the balafon next:
(Note: Alpha Oulare is demonstrating the African Balafon in free improvisation. He points out not to be a very skillful player himself (yet), rather still student at this particular instrument. It’s a life-long learning. You hear a plain cellphone recording with added reverbation/hall effect, sounding as if from far away…)
Alpha Oulare playing the Balafon, in picture two Kalebasses.The Balafon owns a special bag for rest and transportation.During his Percussion Workshops Alpha Oulare mostly plays the Djembé drum with his students, partly also Doundoun and Sangba, Tinkening. (All photographs having been taken on Saturday, June 25th, 2022, in place.)
Contact Mister Alpha Oulare to test-play and and purchase these original, traditioally manufactured West-African musical instruments, each item is unique and sounds authentically good:
You can call Alpha Oulare also directly so in this issue. Click here to dial his number!
LAST NOT LEAST WORD ON PRICES: Prices. These are fair and not too expensive, no amoral profit shall be made, but the African manufacturers and importing trading/messaging helpers find their acknowledgement. We regard it to be a better solution to obtain and purchase these instruments from first hand other than as from musical stores and major Internet distributors, cheapest used defect items of unkown origin, or non-african forgeries and replicas, or so-called special editions of drums at over-sized pricing… You will always also find help and advise in/on maintaining the instrument healthy and in good sounding shape, loving it as musical friend and partner.
Alpha Oulare on the phone. He is always friendly, and kind to all customers and musical students.
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PREVIEW / REVIEW
The first public announcement and invitation for 2023 dated back March 24th, 2022
It currently appears, as if the announcedMusic Workshop Journey to Guinea Conakry / Isle of Roume could take place a few months later that year 2023, in Autumn. Updates of the invitation will follow…
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June 25th, 2022, afternoon at the Hupfeld Center Rehearsal and Workshop Room
NOT UNIMPORTANT : Musical instruments as Djembé drums, D(o)und(o)uns of several sizes up to the great-sounding Balafon, more, Shakers and string instruments as Kora, N’Goni and Bolong, each with supply can be test-played at and purchased from Alpha Oulare(‘s) as well — you will find detailed catalog images and information on pricing for instruments handcrafted by African musicians here in soon future… POST SCRIPTUM: Meanwhile these statements have been added to this website, in first revision. Look here, please also forward as link: tinyurl.com/aotrade. We thank you!
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ALWAYS IMPORTANT AND TO CONSIDER : REALIZE :Support of Development Aid for Guinea are another concern of Mister Alpha Oulare. Contact him directly to find understanding of his ideas on international economic exchange, so in textile industry to establish manufacturing in country, entrepreneurship in this strengthening the Guinean social system and young adults and families in need.
Sewing technologies and more for textiles and clothing for Guinean collaboratives and entrepreneurs, skill training and human-sustainable-fair production? Container shipping to Guinea Conakry – administrative financial support, logistics, trade goods, technology and wares? Know how? — More on all of this here soon…
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June 25th, 2022, afternoon at the Hupfeld Center Rehearsal and Workshop Room
These eight of currently 16 Djembé drums sound authentical and good! Many more and more different musical instruments from West-Africa are offered; they can be ordered, manufactured, modified or repaired, tuned by experienced African musicians at fair prices — ask for details and costs! Interested persons are invited to try out instruments in place.
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More, further notes on the website completition shall follow here in future… Please visit these pages again! We thank you for your interest and kind consideration, any support. Be blessed!
PREFACED: Maybe this Invitation will apply for the later months of the year 2023, which is not yet concrete at all, but the outline and journey content should be found to be similar in both cases — read on:
[Public announcement and invitation by Djembéfola Mr. Alpha Oulare]
MUSICAL JOURNEY TO GUINEA :
Winter holiday workshop in February 2023
2-week drum and dance course from February 5th to 19th, 2023[1]
Let yourself be carried away into the wonderful culture of Guinea! Together with us you will discover its breathtaking variety of colours, smells and sounds — very close to the pulse of natureand the local people.
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DRUM LESSONS. In drum lessons we practice traditional rhythms and percussion techniques on the Djembé, one of the most expressive drums in Africa. In addition, the interaction of the whole group is trained. The three masters of the drum (Djembéfola) Mr. Gillbert, the course instructor, accompanied by Mr. Alpha Oulare and Mr. Mamadie Camara, go into each level individually. The drums are provided.
DANCING LESSONS. Accompanied by the aforementioned drummers, the dance lessons take place with the two professional dance teachers Ms. Marama Konti and Ms. Kadiatou Zuma. For a long time, both were dancers with the national ballet «Kounkuré Bamba» in Conakry, where they currently live and teach several dance groups. Their wealth of experience enables them to handle different levels of dance equally.
THREE MEALS A DAY. Our cook Ms. Fatime will entertain us with her culinary art. As a snack, fruit, snacks and table water are freely available for all travelers. You have to organize muesli or special foods yourself.
OVERNIGHT STAY. 2-bed rooms with simple furnishings, beds with mosquito nets are provided. On the Île de Roume we stay in bamboo huts directly at the sea.
WHAT AWAITS YOU on our trip to Guinea:
Airport transfer (arrival and departure as a whole group),
traditional accommodation (no mass tourism),
3× daily culinary delicacies of the Guinean cuisine,
two-week drum and dance course and
optional excursions, cultural events, festivals and much more
TRAVEL PRICE for the two-week stay:
all inclusive with dance and drumming course 950 €,
only with dance course 785 €,
only with drumming courses 785 €
(simple extension week possible by arrangement).
TIME SCHEDULE
Saturday, February 4th, 2023, arrival at Conakry/Guinea airport, transfer as a group[2] to the town of Coyah[3].
Sunday, February 5th, 2023, free day to arrive and relax.
Monday, February 6, 2023 to Friday, February 10, 2023, daily lessons in traditional dance and drumming, in Coyah.
Saturday, February 11, 2023, moving by boat to the Île de Roume, one hour before Conakry. Free time for long walks into the interior of the small island and along the sea, visit to the village with insights into the everyday life of the people, for example fishing. Spontaneous excursions around the island or a rest day in a hammock — all this and much more is possible.
From Monday 13.2.2023, daily lessons in traditional dance and drumming on the island of Roume, outside by the sea.
Saturday and Sunday, February 18/19, 2023, return journey.
Guinea Conakry region, Los Islands and the Isle of Roume (Sources Twitter.com and Mindat.org)
REMARKS
[1] Variable arrival and departure times are possible.
[2] Arrangements among the travelers as a group regarding the transfer are possible.
[3] The drive from Conakrys Airport to Coyah takes approximately 1½ hours. The journey from Coyah to Roume Island takes approximately 2 hours by car to the port and then another 1 hour by boat to the island.
Dance lessons Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 11:00 and 17:00 to 18:00, drum lessons Monday to Friday from 12:00 to 15:00.
You have to organize the flight yourself. There are various airlines that fly to Conakry: Airfrance (you can take a lot of luggage here) or, for example, Air Morocco.
A visa must be ordered at the Guinean Embassy in Berlin.
Vaccination card is mandatory (vaccination against yellow fever and/or prophylactic treatment against malaria).
For those who have the desire and the time, there is an opportunity to arrive earlier and also to stay there longer. The holiday can be extended up to 3 months, for this it is necessary to contact the organizer Mr. Alpha Oulare (additional costs about 150 € per week for room and board).
ᎪᏁᎮᎻᎪ ᏅᏬᏞᎪᎡᎬwas born in Faranah from an original Mandingo family in Guinea Conakry and comes from the generation of the seventies. He started playing drum at the age of five. He describes himself: »I saw the Djembé in a dream after I had left a cultural place where I had met Ma Siré Camara. I was ten years old and I said to him that I love the music, then he told, come with me … I studied with him for five years and soon became a member of his ballet. Afterwards I joined the group Kounkouré Bamba. At first, I accompanied and later became a solo Djembé player … I then met Famoudou Konaté and Mamady Keïta. We also played with Faduba Oulare and his Ensemble in numerous traditional festivals all over Guinea.«
Peace shall be, the Djembé drum, West-Africa Guinea, Conakry, the World…
PUBLIC VISITOR COUNTER FOR THIS HOMEPAGE, BY REVOLVERMAPS.COM (click for details) since July 9th, 2022 — YOU ARE HERE :
The West-African Ensemble Rootsmanding are in core: Alpha Oulare – Diehi Tanguy Franck – Sam Jarju, here in Ingolstadt, June 2022
Djembéfola ALPHA OULARE / L'Institut Sunjata de famille de Monsieur Djembéfola Alpha Oulare, Guinea Conakry & Leipzig Europe (official homepages — pages d'accueil officielles — offizielle Internet-Seiten, 2022–2025ff.) 
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