Bembe

Bembe, for 4 Percussionists, is a feast of Afro-Latino rhythms. The term is originally a musical-religious expression derived from the beliefs and practices of the West African Yoruba people. In the Caribbean and urban barrios it describes a casual joining of percussionists to perform and improvise in a street setting. The work also celebrates and bestows reverence to African deities or saints called Orishas. These rhythms, which are associated with them in some way, are danceable prayers to honor them. Bembe transmits the energy and spontaneity , not only in its religious connotations, but most of all, as in a street gutted jam session (rumbon). The various intrinsic ostinatos used are Afro-Caribbean dance forms that include guaguanco, bomba, rumba, merengue, plena, etc.