Renowned drummer Weedie Braimah will present a summer African drumming and dance workshop series at Jackson State University.
The three-day event will be June 24-26 in the F.D. Hall Music Center Art Gallery, first floor.
As a premier master of the djembe, Braimah was introduced to West African culture and drumming at age 2 in his native Ghana. Later, in East St. Louis, he began a long quest and professional career in the study of cultural music of the Diaspora.
Now a resident of New Orleans, Braimah remains a maverick performer of the highest caliber. He has an almost insatiable knack to draw the entire audience into his grove, zigzagging through Africa on a breathtaking rhythmic roller coaster.
Braimah comes from a long lineage of musicians, including his mother, a respected jazz drummer and his father, a world-renowned composer and master drummer. Having studied with the greats such as Mamady Keita, Famadou Konate, Abdoul Doumbia and Fadouba Oulare, it is no surprise that Braimah excelled musically and became well known on the drum and dance circuit.
He has been a performer, teacher and preserver of African culture for more than 20 years. He continues to pursue new musical journeys as a soloist, with his bands Nth Power and Kreative Pandemonium, and as a guest artist for groups such as Trombone Shorty and Toubab Krewe.
The entertainer will offer a series of three intense djembe orchestra workshops: June 24 (4-6 p.m.); June 25 (4-6 p.m.); and June 25 (1-3 p.m.). He will also serve as lead drummer for a dance class on June 25 (4-5:30 p.m.).
Cost for the drum series is $50 ($65 at the door), and the dance class is $5.
For more information, contact Lisa Beckley-Roberts at 601-979-2583 or lisa.m.beckley-roberts@jsums.