AFO WEST AFRICAN DRUMMING ENSEMBLE

Afö (Malinke for ‘speak’) is a traditionally based West African drumming ensemble performing high energy rhythms from the region of in West Africa . Afö draw on the traditional music of the Malinke people and in particular those taught by the highly renowned exponent of the tradition, Mamady Keita. Afö capture the essence of this undeniably powerful and engaging traditional music and present an explosive and mesmerising performance. 

 

Afö has presented highly successful concerts and performances to audiences in and around Melbourne . Most recently, the group performed at Montrose Civic Centre as part of the Yarra Ranges Shire Concert Series, the annual Winterfest festival in Warburton, and African Carnifest in Thornbury.  Afö is gearing up for many promising events over summer and into the new year, including the Midsumma Carnival and various local festivals.

Afö released their debut EP ‘Speak’ early in 2008, recorded with funds awarded under the ‘Victoria Rocks’ funding scheme facilitated by Arts Victoria.  

 

Afö brings together some of Melbourne ’s most highly experienced West African percussionists:

 

Simone Lang is a highly experienced West African percussionist who has travelled to , and The Gambia in West Africa to study percussion under some of the finest master drummers of the Malinke tradition. These include Lamine Soumah () of Percussion de Guinee and Alagie Malo Sonko (). Simone has been playing professionally and teaching drumming for over ten years and regularly travels around Melbourne and interstate to perform and teach West African drumming to adults and school children. Simone was a long-standing member of beatwise, a Melbourne-based drumming ensemble led by Guinean master drummer Mohamed Bangoura. Simone is a creative director and founding member of Afö.

 

Federico Martinengo is a passionate Melbourne-based traditional West African percussionist who has been playing percussion for the past six years. In this time Federico has made two study trips to West Africa where he has studied and trained with highly regarded master drummers in , The Gambia and . Federico is a member of Asiko led by Lamine Sonko from and is a creative director and founding member of Afö. Federico currently teaches and performs at various venues throughout and overseas