ABOUT

Africa->West Percussion Trio; whose members include Jamie Ryan, Ryan Korb, and Josh Ryan, is dedicated to the performance of African and Afro-Caribbean styles of music in addition to Western classical music for percussion. Their unique compositions and arrangements of folkloric styles are influenced by the members’ studies abroad and with master musicians in African and Afro-Cuban genres as well as their backgrounds as classical and jazz musicians. The concept of “Africa->West” demonstrates not only the trio’s interest in folkloric music, but also how African and Caribbean music has been shaped by the experiences of Africans in the Western Hemisphere.

The group’s unique repertoire and varied interests allow it to function in a variety of settings. Africa->West performs in the concert hall, at jazz festivals, and in world music venues. The trio is often found in universities and public schools where it teaches classes, offers workshops, and performs with students of all ages. The group regularly performs at Baldwin-Wallace College, where it is an ensemble-in-residence. Recent tours have taken them to a variety of performing and teaching venues across the mid-west. The trio has composed for the Madison Children’s Choir and performed with the Choir as soloists. In 2002, the trio represented Baldwin Wallace College with a performance and workshop at the Music Educators National Conference convention in Nashville. In 2003, Africa->West premiered a new work entitled Colors, a concerto for percussion and wind ensemble, by Loris Chobanian, Professor of Composition at Baldwin-Wallace College. More
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