Aba Diop & the Yermande Family

Aba Diop & The Yermande Family and the various constellations of performer groups all have in common the sabar drum, its rhythms, and a captivating live performance at the heart of the music.

Sabar drums have been a communication device with the ability to relay messages from village to village for miles. The percussion sounds are very much a language which communicates messages of healing and praise: the call-and-response stories and codes of thousands of years of oral tradition.

Rhythmically the music is influenced by traditional West African polyrhythms, the modern, Latin-influenced syntax of Senegalese pop music known as “mbalax,” and Aba’s own original compositions.

Melodically you hear the Sufi-influenced hovering microtonal singing and maqam scales accompanying the elastic, improvisational guitar styles found in the rock and jazz music of the west.

The overall effect is deeply mystical, uplifting, and undeniably dance worthy.