Afro Mandinko

9 piece contemporary West African dance band

9 piece contemporary West African dance band
Experience the high-energy grooves and funky afro moves of this world inspired Afrobeat explosion.

Gambian Master Percussionist King Marong and his band Afro Mandinko deliver a breath of fresh air into the Australian-African and World music scene with their original cross genre style and breathtakingly dynamic stage presence. Drawing on influences from across West Africa ranging from coastal Senegambian highlife to deep Saharan Desert Blues, Afro Mandinko fuse the centuries old traditions of West Africa with the contemporary sounds of Western styles, creating a vibrant blend of irresistible dance music. Featuring incredible African dancers and elements of afrobeat, funk, latin, reggae, dance-hall and jazz, it’s a modern mix, underpinned by the deep roots of the traditional rhythms and melodies of King’s Manding heritage.
The instrumentation incorporates the authentic sounds of traditional West African instruments Kora and Kamelngoni (harps) plus a wide range of percussion, melded with the modern sound of keys, guitar and bass, a driving kit and a bright and resonant afro-horn section.   
Afro Mandinko has appeared at Womadelaide, Brisbane International Festival, The Falls Festival, St Kilda Festival, Moomba, Victorian Arts Centre ‘Mix It Up’ Program, Port Fairy Folk Festival, Apollo Bay Music Festival, Summer Fun in the City, CERES Reggae Festival, Federation Square, Soco Cargo, and Werribee Open Range Zoo to name a few, as well as residencies at renowned Melbourne dance venue The Nightcat.

Review
"This year we were treated to afrobeat-jazz-funk-reggae outfit, Afro Mandinko. And what a treat it was! Traditional songs from The Gambia, Senegal and Ghana were modernised and reworked into tight funky dance arrangements. Combined with their energetic stage presence and lots of audience participation, their set was a standout".
Daryl Langford, Globe to Globe Music Festival
www.afromandinko.com
www.myspace.com/afromandinko

This energetic ensemble is a collaboration between a number of Australia's premier world musicians and features Melbourne based West African artists including members of the several national African troupes, Gambian National Troupe (King Marong), Senegalese National Ballet (Lamine Sonko), Ghanaian National Dance Ensemble (Kuukwa Ackuah).  
Personnel:
King Marong (Gambia): lead vocals and djembe.  

Jali Bubah Kuyateh (Senegal): Kora (African harp) and vocals
Kuukauh Acquah (Ghana): vocals and dance. 
Michael Havir (Aus/Czech Republic) keyboards and FX. 
Richmond Brain (Zimbabwe/Burma/Ireland) guitars.  
Conrad Henderson (India) bass. 
Paul Holleman (Holland) saxophone.
David Joseph (Lebanon) drumkit. 
Bec Matthews (Australia) Kora , kamelngoni (hunters harp) trumpet and vocals.