ABOUT US

In 1998, Founder and Executive Director Joseph Barnes created Bambara Drumming Society.  He gathered four additional drummers including, our beloved master drummer, the late Adewole Love. The Bambara Drumming Society played for various dance companies in New York and across the Tri-State area.   

 

In 2002, Joseph decided to expand the company to what we now know as Bambara Drum & Dance Ensemble. This unique company of "edutainers" has dazzled audiences throughout the United States, performing challenging repertoires from West Africa, Central Africa, and Cuba. The Bambara Drum & Dance Ensemble encourages cross cultural understanding by celebrating traditional African culture. The company's energy and creative versatility engages audiences and allows each individual to become one with the experience. 

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The Bambara Drum & Dance Ensemble has evolved as a vessel for the Performing Arts and serves as a voice for Afro-centric culture.  They continue to educate the consumers of the Tri-State area with their vivid story telling through movement and sound.  As the world continues to transform, the Bambara Drum & Dance Ensemble will stand strong and move forward with hands built for drums, feet carved for dancing and a mind, body, and spirit made for a mission to bridge the gap from Africa across the World.