Come to the National Jazz Museum in Harlem and join our kick-off event for our Women in Jazz & Percussion Interview & Concert series hosted and curated by Melvis Santa. This is the first event in a four-part series. Learn the different rhythms of the African diaspora and more from Brazilian and Caribbean music. You don’t wanna miss out on this interactive experience!

Concert description:

Batalá New York is an all women, Black-led, Afrocentric percussion ensemble. They play Samba Reggae, a fusion of Brazilian Samba and Caribbean Reggae, including rhythms heard throughout the African diaspora. The band’s repertoire are compositions and arrangements of Mestre Giba Gonçalves, founder of Batalá and other mestres on metal drums with polymer skins, plus improvisation and interactive segments, paying homage to traditional Afro-Brazilian music and spirituality.

The Jazz & Percussion series is made possible with support from the National Endowment for the Arts

About the Artist:

Deinya Phenix, Ph.D. is a sociologist, mother, and child of the African Diaspora. After decades of dancing on stage (since the age of 5), she was blessed to be introduced to Afro-Brazilian percussion by gifted musician Cafe da Silva in 2009. She has been a member of Batala New York among other bands since 2012, and she has traveled to Europe, South America and the Caribbean teaching and learning about Afro-Diasporic music and dance. Over the course of 9 years, Deinya rose through the ranks from conductor to Co-Musical Director to Artistic & Musical Director of Batalá New York. Deinya has trained and led over 100 women of Batalá New York to bring high energy, culturally relevant, visually stimulating performances grounded in community, centering service, and powered by partnership with masters of percussion and dance across the globe.

Support the artist directly and stay in touch!
https://www.instagram.com/batalanewyork/
https://www.patreon.com/join/batala 

This performance is made possible by the National Endowment for the Arts