Prâna and Mvula Mandondo

Live music concert featuring Prâna, followed by Mvula Mandondo.

Prâna:
The journey of the drum.
A dazzling new original work by drummer-percussionist Siemy Di who brings together music and theatre to tell a story that is an inspiring example of cross-cultural unity.

The piece starts with a solo presentation by the Ghanaian master percussionist Afla Sackey who gives an enchanting showcase of West African drum traditions before the cultural canvas is broadened by the joint composition, The Big Bang. This teams Sakey with Siemy Di and together they summon up the energies of African and Indian deities Shango and Shiva to vividly depict the ecstatic creation of the universe. Siemy then takes centre stage to celebrate the moment that Africa and India come together in America.

Afla and Siemy are later joined by flamenco dancer Lourdes Fernandes. Her hypnotic steps entwine with the mellifluous phrases of sarod player Ganga Thapa and the driving polyrhythms of Afla and Siemy. The result is a feast for the eyes and ears that has a universal vibration.

Mvula Mandondo:
- 'When rain falls, the beans grow'.
Founded by internationally respected percussionist, Saidi Kanda, who first made his name with Remmy Ongala's Orchestra Super Matimila, Mvula Mandondo presents an original concoction of Tanzanian village roots, urban rumba and Afro-Caribbean influences, blending traditional and modern instruments. Saidi Kanda's vocal virtuosity accompanied by commanding guitar-driven rhythms will make you move. Alternatively, you may just want to sit back, relax and let strings, thumb piano and harmonies, beats and guitar rhythms wash over you like tropical rain. That's if you can sit still. Spanning a versatile range of musical styles this new music holds a few surprises with new sounds and blends you have never heard before.

The forthcoming release will be the first album exclusively featuring Saidi's own compositions, showcasing his true talents, not only as a percussionist, but also as vocalist, composer and traditional multi-instrumentalist.