The Staffordshire Moorlands African Drumming Project employ the services of David Woolley, and Diane Harper, from Joliba West African Drum School. David is the senior tutor and in his absence Diane also teaches the group.
Since 2003 David and Diane have taught the group the vibrant sounds of drumming from Guinee, in West Africa, which David learnt whilst travelling in both Guinee and Gambia. David has travelled twice to Africa, the last time to Guinee Conakry and his main teacher was Samsou, who now resides in Gambia.
SMADP have a range of traditional African drums which the group were able to purchase thanks to an Arts Council start-up grant, and group members rotate between instruments so we all get to play a bit of everything. The music is based on set pieces with different patterns played by individuals and the resultant sound is full of energy and vibrancy.
Click here to go to the new updated Joliba website. Its well worth a look with with loads of photos and info on Joliba and David, including his time in Africa, it evens mention SMADP !
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