BARAKA is
Ben Baddoo - Vocals, Percussion, Balafon.
| Ben from Ghana is a well known figure in the world of drum and dance, having been one of it’s first exponents in the UK. He is also an in-demand session player, having guested with artists as diverse as Vangellis, Nick Turner, Peter Gabriel and most recently Temple Of Sound. Ben is also noted for his Drum and Dance Workshops, which he has delivered not only at festivals around the world, but also in schools and colleges throughout the UK. A solo drum track that he recorded for the Womad Talking Book CD is now part of the UK Schools curriculum. |
Simwinji Zeko - Vocals, Guitar.
| Born in Zambia, Simwinji spent many years travelling, performing and recording in Zambia and South Africa, notably with Maoma, who pioneered Reggae in Zambia. On coming to Europe he lived in Germany before moving to the UK. When he arrived in the UK he lived in a communal house in London with Misty in Roots, and cycled to Bristol to check it out, because it wasn’t “very far, compared to the distances he travelled by bike in Africa.” |
Mamadou Cissoko - Vocals, Kora and Djembe
| Mamadou is one of the world famous Cissoko family of Musicians and Artists from Senegal, and embodies all the best attributes of the tradition. He also has a inquisitive nature, which has led him to performing with BARAKA. Here he can sidestep the traditional, and add some melodic Kora to a pounding Reggae beat, or join Ben in some blistering Percussion - the Ghanaian loping beats crashing headlong into some machine gun Senegalese Djembe. |
Royston Gage - Vocals, Bass.
| Royston is from the Commonwealth of Dominica. His early experiences with music included hanging out with Led Zeppelin when they used his band’s rehearsal room on the island. Having toured extensively, playing in some of the top Soca and Reggae bands in the Caribbean, he moved to the UK to develop and expand his style. |
Mark Bradley - Drums.
| Born in Belfast, Marks first musical experience was playing in Punk bands as a teenager. Moving to the UK 20 years ago, he worked with brother Paul in Me, as well as featuring in some seminal Bristol bands like Midnight Brothers, Rita Lynch, Big Fish, Moonflowers etc. and is consistently in demand as a session drummer. |
Brendan Whitmore - Vocals, Tenor and Soprano Saxophones, Flute, Harmonica.
| Brendan from Carlow, Eire came to World music through Reggae, having been a founder member of Bristol’s first and foremost reggae band – TALISMAN, with whom he enjoyed numerous television appearances and radio sessions, including John Peel, and also significant chart success. As well as World Music and Reggae, his influences are Blues and Jazz. |
