Description

Balimaya Project + Muertito + DJ Mxtias (Bazuka) Live at Brudenell Leeds

Balimaya Project was formed in 2019 by percussionist Yahael Camara Onono, a second generation Londoner whose rich West African musical heritage, coupled with his musical experiences in the UK, inspired him to bridge the gap between the diaspora and West Africa.
The word Balimaya is a word from the Maninka language that means the essence of kinship. In Mande society, the ideology of kinship is engrained in the moral fabric of its people. Family ties aren?t just limited to blood relations. The concept of extended family created by marriage, cousinage, shared history within ethnicities and deeds done for one another is complex, but shared and adhered to with great pride. This extended family model is what inspires Balimaya?s repertoire and mission.
This group is built on the foundation of forging musical and cultural ties, from a place of integrity, authenticity and inspiration. Balimaya uses the repertoire of the Mande peoples of Senegal and Mali as the bridge to bring the folkloric West African music, together with Jazz and the sounds of Black London, to create something different.
Yahael was born in North West London to Nigerian and Senegalese parents. Despite being born in the UK and growing up in inner city London for most of his life, he had an affinity for his folkloric music from a very young age. He received his first talking drum at the age of 6 from his grandfather, and later started playing the djembe at the age of 8. Though he grew up in Harlesden, he was given the gift of an open mind through travel at an early age.
Balimaya is an accurate expression of how Yahael feels and expresses his musical journey. There is a story and meaning behind every piece, and homage is paid to his cultural roots throughout the music. In this journey, he has endeavoured to make space within the folklore to add, enrich and give new depth to the music, and to include the voices of the many communities that have guided him along the way.
Support comes from a new Leeds band of familiar faces from the jazz/global beats scene. With a line-up consisting of Spanish guitar, West African calabash and fretless bass, afro-flamenco outfit Muertito draws on the rich influence of MPB greats such as Jorge Ben and Baden Powell alongside the flamenco offerings of Paco de Lucia. Formed after a series of studio sessions and jams around the parks of Leeds, Matías Reed (guitar - Mansion Of Snakes/Vipertime) and Luke Reddin-Williams (calabash - Roller Trio/Vipertime)) soon invited Sam Dutton-Taylor (bass - Mansion Of Snakes) to complete the line-up. The trio have recorded a video session featuring vocalist Georgie Buchanan and are preparing to head into the studio this year to record new music for release later in the year.
On the decks before, between and after the live sets is DJ Mxtias from the tropical bass night Bazuka. He'll be playing past and present music from the African continent and African diaspora worldwide.

Description

The Brudenell is a lively and fun loving venue that embraces music and art under a wide and diverse umbrella that has no boundaries.

Our open music policy believes in freedom and creation and holds the belief that music and expression provide useful social interaction.

It is a community ‘non profitmaking’ venue, that holds charitable status, based in Leeds 6. The Brudenell Social Club is owned by its members, run by its members, for its members.

The Brudenell is most famous for hosting secret gigs for bands like Franz Ferdinand and the Kaiser Chiefs. However, it has been a centrepiece of the Leeds music scene for a number of years, and hosts gigs most nights of the week, which are put on by a variety of local promoters.

33 Queens Road,

Burley,

Leeds,

West Yorkshire,

England,

LS6 1NY.

0113 275 2411