ILU AYE (Literally, "The Drum of the World" in Yoruba)was founded in 2004 by a collective of individuals, to celebrate the connections between the peoples and cultures of the African Diaspora. Bringing together the next generation of Afro-Puerto Rican, -Dominican, and -Cuban percussionists and singers, ILU AYE is dedicated to preserving and promulagting the rich cultural legacy of Africa in the Americas and the Caribbean, through performance, educational workshops, and community-centered gatherings where the rhythms of the African Caribbean reign. Trained by master musicians from all three islands, and versed in sacred and popular rhythms such as bata, guiro, rumba (Cuba); bomba and plena (Puerto Rico); and palos, salves, and kongos (Dominican Republic), ILU AYE interprets traditional songs and reinvigorates the genres with original compositions by renowned akpwon, Osvaldo "Bembe" Lora.
ILU AYE has performed at numerous venues around New York City, including but not limited to: the internationally renowned SOBs (Sounds of Brasil world music venue), State University of NY (SUNY)-Purchase, City University of NY(CUNY)/BMCC, City University of NY(CUNY)/Lehman College, Teatro La Tea, CAMARADAS el Barrio, the legendary Nuyorican Poets Café, the Daily News/Cingular Stage at the National Puerto Rican Day Parade Festival/Festival de la 116, the Langston Hughes Library (Queens, NY), The Hostos Center for Latino Arts and Culture (CUNY), and Lincoln Center Out of Doors (La Casita).
Join IluAye@yahoogroups.com for future events.
