THE SENEGAL-AMERICA PROJECT TRIO

TONY VACCA … MASSAMBA DIOP… ABDOU SARR

 A lightening-fast flurry of notes cascade from a giant West African balafon… Djembes and talking drums seem to literally be singing in harmony… An orchestra of tuned gongs, ranging from delicately small to five feet in diameter, create an embracing, celestial thunder… Suddenly a dancer leaps onto the stage and does with his entire body what the drummers had been doing with their drums. His feet, his arms, his expressions; they’re all a story of this rhythm-song put to his dance.

This is The SENEGAL-AMERICA TRIO. Tony Vacca, Massamba Diop and Abdou Sarr:

Musicians with a global perspective on their rhythmdriven music and dance. They’ve been working together for over twenty years, and their performances prove that it’s been time well spent. This long-term innovative collaboration, in combination with their musical, instrumental, and cultural diversity is what makes their unique chemistry so powerful. Through the course of their concerts, they take listeners on a music and dance excursion that is simultaneously elegant and wild. From the whisperlike melodies of the mbira, to their playful vocal-percussion-scat-singing and beat poetry, and then to the rhythmic pyrotechnics of their dances and compositions, they enjoy creating this spectacle. This wave of energy touches and transforms the audience into a sea of responding rhythms, and they often answer back with clapping and chanting, and some even get up and dance with the performers. And it’s all just as it should be when these three perform together

School Programs

In schools their concert programs are a spectacular confluence of traditions that connect their respective worlds in Africa and America. The workshops they offer include: The Multi-Culti Rhythm Ensemble (lead by Tony); Traditional and Innovative West African Dance (lead by Abdou Sarr), and “The Talking Drum: from Ancient Traditions to The 21st Century,” lead by Massamba Diop. For school programs they typically offer three workshop sessions and one concert. In each workshop session Massamba, Abdou, and Tony each lead their own simultaneous workshop. Sessions should be approximately one hour. Concert performances usually include a brief performance by one of Tony’s MultiCulti Workshop groups and one of Abdou Sarr’s dance groups.

FEES FOR SCHOOL PROGRAMS:

$3000 for a full day of concerts and workshops.

About the performers:

Massamba Diop was born in Senegal, a country rich in musical heritage and cultural diversity. Growing up in a family deeply connected to the arts, Massamba was exposed to Senegal’s ever-evolving traditional music from a young age. He learned to play the tama, a traditional talking drum, which became his primary instrument and a medium through which he expressed his cultural identity. In the late 1980s, Diop gained international recognition for his collaboration with renowned Senegalese musician Baaba Maal. Their partnership marked the beginning of a creative journey that has spanned over three decades. As a key member of Maal’s band, Diop’s innovative drumming style and ability to blend traditional rhythms with contemporary sounds played a vital role in the evolution of West African music. Their work together produced several acclaimed albums and performances worldwide, bringing Senegalese music to a global audience.

In addition to his work with Baaba Maal, Massamba Diop’s talents have extended into the realm of music for film. He gained significant acclaim for his contributions to the soundtracks of both of the Academy Award-winning films “Black Panther,” and “Wakanda Forver,” directed by Ryan Coogler. His drumming added an authentic ancient and contemporary African sound to the film, enhancing its cultural narrative and connecting audiences to the rhythms of the continent. This achievement solidified his reputation as a versatile and sought-after musician. Massamba Diop is known for his dynamic drumming style, characterized by intricate rhythms and a deep understanding of traditional Senegalese music. His performances are a celebration of African culture, often incorporating elements from various musical traditions. Diop has influenced a new generation of musicians, both in Senegal and beyond, encouraging them to explore and embrace their cultural roots while pushing the boundaries of contemporary music. With a career spanning over three decades, Massamba Diop has left an indelible mark on the world music scene. As a performer, educator, and cultural ambassador, Diop continues to inspire musicians and audiences alike, ensuring that the rich traditions of his homeland are celebrated and preserved for future generations. He has collaborated with an international cast of artists that include Herbie Hancock, Peter Gabriele, Tony Vacca’s Fusion Nomads, and Afro-Celt Sound System.

Tony Vacca has been a free lance percussionist for over four decades, incorporating a world of music and instruments to create something… all his own. Over the course of his career he has made a habit of pushing the already adventurous conventions of World Fusion Music into new territory, both as a soloist and as the leader of his World Rhythms Ensemble.

His educational programs take students and faculty on a deep dive into the power of music to open young minds to how we are all connected, and to how music elegantly requires the integration of math, science, geography… and so much more. Tony has performed and/or recorded with Pop icon Sting, Jazz and world music legends Don Cherry, Yusef Lateef and Avery Sharpe; with world renowned Senegalese vocalist Baaba Maal, with South African vocalist Tsidii Le Loka (Broadway’s first “Rafiki” in “The Lion King”) and percussionist Massamba Diop; with American born vocalist/percussionist Vinx, and with American poets Abiodun Oyewole (of The Last Poets), Ms. Tantra Zawadi, and America’s Beat Poet laureate, Paul Richmond. His newest project, Fusion Nomads is all about what comes next from this confluence of forces.

Abdou Sarr grew up first in a small fishing village in Senegal, and then in one of the rougher neighborhoods of the capital city, Dakar. Abdou’s mother was a well known dancer, and from the moment she began showing Abdou some of her signature moves… well let’s just say it became obvious that Abdou was about to put his own signature on what he and his next generation had to say to each other, and to the world.

Abdou became “that amazing dancer” in one of Senegal’s most well-known Hip Hop troupes called Gokh-bi System, where his unique combination of traditional and never-been-seen-before dance moves earned him great respect. Over the past two decades Abdou has not only developed his already bold dance style into something far beyond where he began, he has also become a fine drummer, and he’s created a unique set of dance workshop presentations. All this and more is why he now is busy doing school programs, working with a wide circle of bands… and oh yeah, he has created his own group, “Jamm ak Salam.” For more info and to book a date for your school contact Tony Vacca at: tonyvacca@comcast.net, or call 413 658. 5109

For more info and to arrange bookings contact Tony Vacca: Email: tonyvacca@comcast.net Cell phone: 413 658-5109