Stefan Monssen brought us together in Atlanta, July of 2007, some six years after wed last played together for the Gambian community in NYC which wed been doing happily for a few years. Heres a wild story!: Back in 1997 I lived on Broadway in NYC just a few blocks from the Faretta Dance and Music School but wasnt aware of it for a good while, somehow. Then I noticed a poster on the stairwell leading down (the only indication Id ever seen of anything going on there!) which read KUTIRO DRUM and DANCE LESSONS. I went down and met Stefan for the first time. I told him I learned to play Kutiro from Erik Silverman who went to The Gambia in 1975 and stayed for a year and a half learning the drumming, language and everyday life on Fabakary (Jallo) Badjies compound. It turns out that Stefan lived that life there for 2 years on the same compound learning from PaBakary as well so 10 or 15(?) years later!!! I couldnt believe and still am amazed at the coincidence - that I lived a few blocks away and found such a deep connection with people that I have the honor and joy of knowing for so many years now.
Posted on: Tue, 21 Jan 2014 10:24:01 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015