SYA ARTISTS
JOKEH
DANCE ARTIST, TEACHER AND PERFORMER FROM THE GAMBIA, WEST AFRICA
"JOKEH" is Gambian dance artist internationally recognised for her knowledge and inspirational teaching techniques of traditional West African Manding Dance. Her entire life has been dedicated to music and dance with a particularly great understanding and appreciation of West African Culture.
As sole manager of her own dance group "African Ballet" established since 1989, Jokeh remains responsible for all music and dance arrangements. The Gambian based drum and dance ballet troop currently includes many artists from Guinea, The Gambia and Senegal and continues to be a platform for past and present performers establishing recognition teaching and performing around The World."African Ballet" still remains to be the most successful djembe dance troops in The Gambia, regularly performing at roots and culture festivals, major hotels and ceremonies.
In 1996 Jokeh traveled to The United States with The Gambian National Troop on a four month contract, performing and teaching Djembe, Sabar Wolof and Jola Dance to enthusiastic students from many States.
Jokeh's teaching of West African traditional and modern dance styles has encouraged students from Europe, The US and Scandinavia, many visiting annually wishing to study authentic dance in her hometown of Serrekunda in The Gambia. This region in particular does cultivate so many dance artists and musicians, but more recently it is Jokeh's own children evidently becoming recognised artists, teaching students and creating their own groups with outstanding performances even capable of competing with the masters.
In 2002 Jokeh began performing and playing an influential role with Sankandi (the present official Gambian DanceTroop). Later during the same year Jokeh was invited by Jaliba Kouyate to choreograph all dance movements and star for the video release in his collaboration with Mamanding Kuyate And Badinya Group.
Since 2003 Jokeh has been based in Manchester, contactable at Santa Yalla Arts, available for performances, educational programmes, workshops and private tuition.
Workshops and classes in The Gambia can still be arranged please contact Jokeh at Santa Yalla Arts for more information.
VIEUX SAGNA
Diene "Vieux" Sagna has been dancing professionally since 1994 in Dakar, Senegal. His career has taken him as far as Brazil, Lebanon and Sweden where he has taken part in various concerts, festivals and arts projects. Vieux specialises in Djembe and Sabar but is also a keen salsa and contemporary dancer. He has danced for famous singers: Youssou N'dour and Coumba Gawlo Seck just to mention a couple, and can be seen on Senegalese television most days in the many music videos he has featured in.
Now he has brought his extensive experience and flare to the United Kingdom.
KARIM M'BAYE
Karim is based in Manchester and specialises in Sabar, talking drum and Djembe percussion. Originally from Kaolack in Senegal, West Africa, from a talented family of artists. Kari, started developing his knowledge as a percussionist from a very early age, playing in local groups and playing percussion during ceremonial occasions. He has performed with many established artists, including Baba Maal, Alieu M'baye Nder, Youssou Ndour and Salif Keita. Before arriving the UK Karim had travelled to many countries in Africa demonstrating his talent, such as Mauritania, Mali, Nigeria, Congo and South Africa.
Karim is available for classes and workshops in Sabar, talking drum and Djembe.
OLIE JAMMEH
Olie is a dance artist and teacher from the The Gambia, West Africa, specialising in Sabar and Djembe dance.
Before arriving in The UK Olie had performed traditional dance with many different groups in Senegal and The Gambia. She was a strong influence in The Gambian based drumming and dance group, " African Ballet ", before travelling to America in 1996 with The "Gambian National Troupe". Olie toured many states for four months performing regularly and also teaching enthusiastic students traditional dance moves.
Olie is now based in The UK performing and teaching traditional dance in sabar and djembe.
Contact Santa Yalla Arts for more details.