BARAKA
BARAKA is a unique combination of musicians from Ghana, Senegal, Zambia, Dominica and Northern and Southern Ireland. Each musician contributes his individual sound and style - Reggae featuring a Kora and Djembe, Township with a Calypso bassline, Hilife with Blues Harmonica, Soca with Balafon and Flute. Baraka features musical collaborations that you are unlikely to hear with any other band. This is not just one person's music translated by backing musicians, as so many "world" music bands seem to be. Baraka is edgy, experimental and innovative without losing sight of the fact that entertainment is the key.

BARAKA
is fronted by Ben Baddoo, Master Drummer and Dancer from Ghana, on Percussion and Balafon, delivering a potent combination of driving rhythms and subtle vocals. Simwinji Zeko from Zambia adds his unique brand of funky guitar and vocals, and latest addition Modou Cissoko from Senegal features on Kora and Djembe. Royston Gage from the Commonwealth of Dominica brings in the Caribbean influence on bass. Two Irishmen complete the line up, Mark Bradley on drums delivers the rhythmic heartbeat, and Brendan Whitmore adds the finishing touches with some explosive Saxophone, Flute and Harmonica.

BARAKA
have, since their formation almost 5 years ago, delighted audiences all over the country, as well as the occasional (so far) trip to Europe. The band have recently finished working on their second album - "YOUR ARMS AROUND ME", their first “CRY FOR AFRICA” having sold well and been critically acclaimed. Baraka is truly a WORLD Music band, bringing together influences not only from Africa and the Caribbean, but also Northern and Southern Ireland.

BARAKA
is a professional, independent, original, multi-cultural, multi-racial band with no affiliations to big business - so we have no incentives to offer except brilliant music. (Well, we might have t-shirts next year) All of our musicians now live in Bristol, so there are no problems with Immigration, work permits etc. So if you would like an high energy mixture of Hi-life, Township, Soca, Calypso and Reggae, Baraka is the one!!