Welcome

Mbackeh Darboe is well known for his wild dancing, pounding drumming and haunting singing skills. Born into a “Griot” family (the musical historians of West Africa), he specialises in the vibrant Afro-Manding rhythms, from The Gambia, Senegal, Mali and Guinea.

As lead singer and dancer with The Gambia’s number one band “Roots Kunta Kinteh”, Mbackeh left in 1995 to make his Australian debut at Festival of Darwin. For 12 years, he worked Australia wide performing at major Festivals plus providing valuable African cultural learning experience workshops for all ages and abilities. He has appeared in over 50 major festivals in Australia. In Canberra he worked for the Department of Immigration and Ethnic Affairs and Community Aid Abroad, culminating in a performance at Parliament House. For two years he ran an “African Cultural Experience” program for schools in South Australia, in conjunction with Global Education. He continued a similar program in the Northern Territory with drumming, drum making and dance workshops, which were especially popular with Aboriginal communities.

In Adelaide he joined forces with powerful Gambian percussionist Ebrima King Marong to form “Bantaba Binde” band (“the meeting place in Mandinka). Then his own high energy “Mandinka Music” band over the years which included several leading Australian musicians.

In 2007 he returned home to form an exciting “super band” of all experienced Gambian musicians “Back To The Roots”. With traditional Kora (21 string harp), Balafon (xylophone), drums plus guitars, a contemporary Afro Manding flavour has emerged plus surprise original material. CD now available. (video see blog April 2010 below) They starred at Kartong Festival 2009 in The Gambia. Mbackeh performed at UK festivals in 2008 & 2009 plus Global Links schools programs. In February 2012 he returned to Darwin, Australia and formed an exciting new band of "African Brothers" all star drummers from Liberia, South Sudan & The Gambia. 2013-2016 returned to The Gambia and worked as a Music & Entertainment Presenter with Gambia TV & Radio Services. He returned to Darwin, Australia early 2017 and now features in Darwin World Mix Collective.


Workshops

WORKSHOPS FOR SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY GROUPS
with Mbackeh Darboe

(Based on programme in conjunction with Global Education, South Australia)

Learn about everyday life and customs in The Gambia, West Africa through music, dance and story telling; farming, naming ceremonies, coming of age ceremonies, marriage, festivals plus stories from the ancient kingdom of Mali.

Program choice available:

PERFORMANCE
Including an introduction to drumming and dancing for everyone to participate in.

DRUMMING AND/OR DANCING WORKSHOPS
For beginners/ improvers hands on experience. (maximum 35 students)

DRUM MAKING
Full day and dependent on availability of materials. Drums for sale.

STORY TELLING
A talk and slide show can be included. Educational Notes available.

For Hourly rates contact backtotherootsmusic@gmail.com
Reduced rates negotiable for more than one class.


Outcomes
• Developing recreational and creative arts skills in rhythms, music and dance. Dancing is a fun way to keep fit!
• Developing self-esteem, using your own skills, working together as a group.
• Sharing a musical journey with Mbackeh, students experience a taste of true African life and culture, as music relates to every aspect of life there. They not only gain more understanding and appreciation of differences of a very communal society, but also learn what they value and about themselves.
. Drumming has highly therapeutic benefits: research has provided support for positive effects of drumming experiences on social behaviours, grief, self expression, self-esteem, group cohesion, depression, behavioural issues, bi-manual co-ordination and learning for children & adults. Drumming can be a powerful tool to help address a variety of needs & part of a healing process.



Workshops in the Gambia

Each musician is a master in their own right and workshops can be arranged for anyone visiting The Gambia. (Advice can be given regarding travel, home stays etc.) Try and combine it with Kartong Festival which is an amazing experience! Why not visit their website - www.kartongfestival.org


Thursday, 20 July 2017

MBACKEH FEATURES IN DARWIN WORLD MIX COLLECTIVE

Mbackeh now presents his exciting African rhythms within Darwin World Mix Collective, A DYNAMIC COLLECTIVE OF EXPERIENCED MUSICIANS, REFLECTING DARWIN'S MULTICULTURAL DIVERSITY:

Experience a moving feast of unique fusion sounds featuring the Didgeridoo, Japanese Taiko drumming & percussion, lively Indian rhythms on the sitar & Tabla drums, sway to the Iranian Santoor dulcimer & belly dance, groove to West African singing & pounding drumming, united around USA powerful drum kit playing or just chill out to smooth guitar/mandolin playing from Filipino & Indonesian musicians.  
The line-up was specially formed for the Fireworks Finale for the big “Harmony Soiree” multicultural celebration at the Waterfront in May. Due to popular demand & enthusiastic musicians, the World Mix continues to evolve and perform in a variety of combinations. Video clip https://vimeo.com/219403070.     https://www.facebook.com/darwinworldmix
Posted by The Gambia at 18:21 0 comments

Thursday, 5 January 2017

Mbackeh returns to Australia early 2017

2013-2016 Mbackeh again returned to The Gambia to renew his cultural roots,  music research and to record his third CD. (You Tube "Mbake Darboe clip"). He worked as a Music & Entertainment Presenter with Gambia TV & Radio Services.  returning to his home-base in Darwin, Australia in early 2017, he is now one of the feature artists in Darwin World Mix Collective. https://www.facebook.com/darwinworldmix
Posted by The Gambia at 20:58 0 comments

Sunday, 27 January 2013

New AFRICAN BROTHERS all star drummers band

Back in Australia in 2012, Mbackeh now has a powerful band of all star druming masters from Liberia, The Gambia and South Sudan. Unique in Australia! (photo Mark Norman)
Posted by The Gambia at 17:35 1 comments

Monday, 12 July 2010

New CD available from Mbackeh Darboe & Back to the Roots band

New CD is available ! $20 plus $5 package & post.
Posted by The Gambia at 03:18 0 comments
Labels:

Sunday, 13 June 2010

Exciting collaboration with Jah Mission Vibes reggae band

Jah Mission Vibes have been working on Mbackeh's new CD compositions and will showcase this exciting new project at Beat Herder and Exodus festivals plus others. The combination of Mbackeh, Jamaican singer songwriter Yesika Zevulana (now Manchester based) and top reggae musicians is dynamite! www.myspace.com/jahmissionvibes
Posted by The Gambia at 02:11 0 comments
Labels:

Thursday, 15 April 2010

Mbackeh Darboe with Back To The Roots Band (Gambia): "Mobe Kiling" ("We ...

Posted by The Gambia at 12:28 0 comments
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)