“I became a master drummer. It is what I do, in many places and
in many forms. It shapes the rest of my life. I love what I do.”
in many forms. It shapes the rest of my life. I love what I do.”
MUSIC - A LIFELONG PASSION
David's first home was in Senegal, the western-most country in Africa. He has memories of growing up in Dakar, with the scent of the Atlantic, the sand of the beaches and the music of the people inspiring him. African and World music have been David's lifelong passion. He formed his first rhythm band when he was 14 years old, and began a lifetime of world travel learning about musical genres and their relation to - in fact, debt to - West African rhythms. David has been playing music his entire life, but nor did he ignore his formal education - a total of 26 years of recognized educational attendance, including 7 years of classical education in Latin and Romance languages.
Over the years, David has been able to travel and play in all continents and many countries including Russia, Singapore, Brazil and others. In the 1970's, he made Canada his home and has lived and worked in Montreal, in Vancouver, in the interior of British Columbia and in Alberta.
Over the years, David has been able to travel and play in all continents and many countries including Russia, Singapore, Brazil and others. In the 1970's, he made Canada his home and has lived and worked in Montreal, in Vancouver, in the interior of British Columbia and in Alberta.
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DOMBA - THE POWER TO BELIEVE
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In his early years in Alberta and British Columbia, David was influential in building the thriving communities of local musicians which both provinces enjoy. His band named Domba (Wolof for the "power of belief"), built on percussion, brass and strings, performed often and widely. He now focuses on musical and cultural education through school residencies, conducting workshops, teaching, performing and crafting his highly-prized professional instruments.
What a legacy he brings. David's talent and his love of music shine! He has been privileged to work and play with many singers, instrumentalists and choirs from many places, including: music schools such as Suzuki, Kodaly, and ORFF; choirs such as Calgary Girls' Choir, In the Pink, Juba, |
Marnie Strom's Youth Choir (using djembe, shakere and sabar); performing artists such as Linda Tillery, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, Nouvelle Aire Dance Co, Miroslav Vitrous, Charlie Biddle, Pepper Adams and Oliver Jones; performances such as the Banff Centre's recent work building an operetta around The Last King of Scotland (with Stephen MacNuff); international schools in Singapore; Alberta schools and programs such as Strathcona-Tweedsmuir, the Calgary Board of Educations's "Connections" and many schools from elementary through to secondary grades. David's influencers have included Ladji Kamara (later, a member of the Martha Graham Dance Company), Zak Diouf (the resource for Quincy Jones on the score for Roots), and Manfila Kante (a legendary singer, composer and guitarist).
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who i am
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"I come from a culture where much is spoken and less is written. I don’t have a written CV.
I share it by speaking. If I did write it all down now, the reader would learn of my country and my continent of origin, my love of language, my drums, my music, my travels and how much I have been honoured to learn from them, and my hope to play my part in educating the children who will rise up and return the respect to the Earth which gives us all our life and balance. And I would write of my gratitude to all the musicians I have met in my journey who have helped shape me to the artist I am today”. DAVID
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MUSIC IS A LANGUAGE
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Music is language. Musical language and spoken language influence each other. David has become expert at matching musical rhythms to their culture of origin and to the spoken language of their people. He is fluent since childhood in Wolof and French, has learned Spanish and English admirably and now writes, teaches and performs in them, and he can converse in Portuguese.
Growing up in a culture where music was part of the every-day not only started David on the path he walks today but also nurtured his strong belief that the |
ability to play and sing is a human right shared by all - not only a privilege for the talented or the wealthy or the experienced. His passionate belief in the power of music to bring fellowship and peace to the world underly much of his work. David works tirelessly to pass on knowledge through in-school artist-in-residence weeks, workshops with keen amateurs, coaching with professionals who want to sharpen their rhythm and percussion, and work on publications which communicate his knowledge.
And yes - he plays wonderful music! |
THE NEXT BIG SHOW
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"This is my dream: to show my fellow Canadians and others how music connects us all - and how much of it originated in strong African influences".
DAVID "The people from my country and continent of origin are full of music and have been for centuries back. Centuries back, many were forced to leave their ancestral homes because of the scourge of slavery. In recent times, more have left their ancestral homes to escape economic and political pressures which they could not change.
But always, the music came along. Africans are strong people. They have never lost their music to new surroundings. They just kept on singing and playing, sometimes adapting and sometimes bringing about adaptation. Blues, Rock, Reggae, Latin and Jazz all have strong African roots and influence. The African rhythms are heard in traditional Arabic dance and song, and more. So that's my next Big Show. To develop a "Music of the World" repertoire, find individuals or groups who play within it, bring them together to improvise with African polyrhythm musicians and identify the links which are exist but are not known to many western music-lovers. If there are kindred spirits out there with the same dream, I welcome your contacting me!" DAVID |
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"The best Artist in Residence in the 19 years of our programme!"
STRATHCONA-TWEEDSMUIR SCHOOL, OKOTOKS, AB
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"David is an individual of immense talent, knowledge and heart. He loves including all who come to drum with him by saying, "this is your culture too" - speaking of the African drum language!".
GOLDIE WILSON, SALMON ARM, BC
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"As I watched, even the most timid members of the audience sway to the rhythms of Domba. It was obvious your musical message struck a deep chord"
GLENBOW MUSEUM, CALGARY, AB
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"Your talents as a teacher and a performer are more then impressive. Whatever it is that results in the audience feeling that they have had a joyous and memorable learning experience - you have it in large amounts. "
AGNES ETHERINGTON ART CENTRE, KINGSTON, ON
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CALL OF THE DRUM
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21st CENTURY GRIOT
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