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Information/Bio:
Muhanamwé, meaning “Our Culture”, brings to life the rich and vibrant culture of Guinea, the heart of West African music and dance. With powerful rhythms, raw vocal harmonies, exciting djembe solos and compelling arrangements, Muhanamwé not only draws from its deep roots in West Africa but also brings new life to the ancient musical and cultural tradition with original arrangements and drum solos.

The group was established in Melbourne, 2007, by Guinean master drummers Aliou Sylla (Les Percussions de Guinée, Visages de Guinée) and Mohamed Camara (Ballet Destin, Les Sorciers de Guinée) and also features Australian percussionist Anna Camara. Highly respected musicians in both Guinea and Australia, Aliou and Mohamed wish to share the true Guinean culture through their music. It is nearly impossible not to move your feet when Muhanamwé begin the surge of their playing. Muhanamwé is proof that music transcends the boundaries of language, aiming instead for the heart and the feet.

Muhanamwé have recently completed a recording for the 2008 VISIBLE project sponsored by Multicultural Arts Victoria. Recent performances include the 2008 Black Harmony Gathering at the Fairfield Amphitheatre, Beats ‘n’ Blues Festival in NSW, Emerge Festival at the Fitzroy Town Hall the VISIBLE concert at Hamer Hall, Werribee Zoo's Rhythm of Africa, as well as various private functions and corporate events. Muhanamwe will embark on a national tour in 2010, sponsored by Kultour.

The Artists:

ALIOU SYLLA: Master drummer Aliou Sylla from Conakry Guinea has been playing djembe since 1980. A former senior member of Les Percussions de Guinee, Aliou has played intensively under the guidance of the late great Lamine Lopez Soumah, master doun doun player Lance Kante and Koumbana Konde. He has taught students from all over the world in both Guinea and Australia for the past 15 years, and is currently teaching traditional Guinean percussion and culture at Footscray Primary School. Aliou has performed extensively around Australia for the past three years at cultural festivals and events including the Commonwealth Games 2006, several "Africa" events at the Victorian Arts Centre, Port Fairy Folk Festival, Globe to Globe, and the Brisbane and Darwin Festivals. He also toured with Jali Buba Kouyate as djembe percussionist with Diya Looloo.

MOHAMED CAMARA: Mohamed Camara was born in Guinea Conakry, West Africa, into the Manding family. Mohamed has studied and performed with many of the world's great master drummers including Ton Ton Sylla, Aliou Sylla, and Fadouba Oularé. Mohamed is a former djembe soloist for Guinean drum and dance ensemble Ballet Destin, and internationally-renowned ensemble Les Sorciers de Guinée, directed by Miriam Makeba's percussionist Papa Kouyaté. Since arriving in Australia in 2007, Mohamed has performed at various festivals, including Woodford and Manna Gum, and has performed live on 3MBS and PBS FM radio, as well as Channel 7 and Channel 10 News. He has also conducted workshops at the Victorian College of the Arts, NMIT and the Victorian Arts Centre's African Village, and currently teaches African drumming at CERES and Clifton Hill Primary School.

ANNA CAMARA: Anna Camara developed a passion for Guinean percussion from the age of ten. This has led her to play a broad range of percussion instruments and styles, and she recently completed a Bachelor of Music Performance with Honours at the Victorian College of the Arts, specialising in Repertoire Percussion. She has performed as a soloist with the VCA Symphony Orchestra, and in a national masterclass for world famous percussionist Evelyn Glennie. Anna has travelled twice to Guinea to study traditional Guinean percussion, dance and song with members of Guinea's only female master drummers' ensemble, Les Amazones de Guinée, as well as the world famous Les Percussions de Guineé. Anna has taught percussion at MacRobertson Girls High and Melbourne Girls Grammar School, and currently teaches at the Victorian College of the Arts and Eltham High School.

Past performances: Black Harmony Gathering, Emerge Festival, VISIBLE Concert, Good Friday Appeal, Maroondah Festival, Rhythm of Africa

more info: http://www.myspace.com/muhanamwe