About Bonga

Bonga

Bonga & drum Gaston Jean-Baptiste, known as "Bonga" is a musical virtuoso who has been performing and studying traditional Haitian drum, dance and song since the age of seven. He began playing drums in his family's peristil in his hometown of Croix-des-Mission in La Plaine, an area of Haiti known for culture and history.

Bonga is regarded as a master of the Afro-Haitian drum, sought-after forhis extensive repertoire of pan-African rhythms. A dynamic performer, accompanist, session player and educator, Bonga works on stage, in the recording studio and in educational settings. He is one of the few drum experts and craftsmen outside of Haiti who continues to build traditional drums using centuries old and techniques.

Bonga singing As a core member of the seminal Haitian roots bands, Boukman Eksperyans and Foulà, Bonga was invited to the U.S. in the '90s when musicians were becoming a strong voice for the Haitian people. Since then, Bonga has continued to play solo and in ensemble. He has performed at numerous worldwide venues and he is a featured performer with Grace Jones, Dan Zanes and Urban Tap. His drums opened the NY premiere of the Rolling Stones "Voodoo Lounge" tour and prominently featured on recordings by Wyclef Jean and Salif Keita.

Bonga’s first CD Kanzo (2000) incorporates elements of jazz, blues and funk to create a dynamic version of mizik rasin. The recording features Lou Reed-bassist Fernando Saunders and trumpeter Frank London. Bonga’s second CD, Ayiti Afrika (2006) received critical acclaim. Featuring cellist Rufus Cappadocia; multi-instrumentalist Peck Allmond and Guinean balafonist Famoro Dioubate, Ayiti Afrika explores the African roots of Haitian music.

For more information please email info@bongamusic.com or call Liana Hawes at (212) 242-2275

See CV for further information.

Picture credits:
Top picture by Courtney Buffington
Bonga with drums and Bonga with Tiga by James Hercules
Black and white picture by Kate Milford

Sheila Anozier
Dancer

Sheila Sheila Anozier (Haitian & free-style dancer) has lived in New York most of her life, but her first memories of life, her childhood, her core is housed in Haiti where dance is an integral part of life. She began a formal training in dance at Long Island University, where she met Ella Thompson Moore, an original member of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, who encouraged her to keep training. She did.

In December 2002 she toured with singer/dancer Wunmi Olaiya in Tokyo, Japan. Sheila toured with the critically acclaimed Tamango's Urban Tap from 2001 to 2003. Her performances have taken her to venues and festivals across the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia including the Montreal International Jazz Festival, Vollos Festival in Greece, The Hague Holland Dance Festival in the Netherlands, and the Altstadtherbst festival in Germany. New York performances include Lincoln Center "Out of Doors", The Joyce, Dance Theatre Workshop, The Kitchen, and SOB's.

sheila In the summer of 2007 she served at choreographer and dancer for Brave New World Repertory Theatre: "Crossing Brooklyn Ferry" at Celebrate Brooklyn, Prospect Park Bandshell.

Sheila currently performs with Vodou Drums of Haiti and The Vodou Jazz Ensemble as dancer and back-up vocals. She also teaches workshops and classes for various organizations in New York City.

The Pat Hall (Community) Dance and Movement class in New York City has been and continues to be a constant source of love and inspiration throughout the years. Thank you Pat and Pam!!

Picture credits:
Photos at the top and on the right by Manu Sassooniam
Photo on bottom left by Derek Jackson

Alisha Zebulon
vocalist, dancer, choreographer

Alisha Alisha began her training in jazz, tap and ballet at the age of 4 advancing to train at The Joffrey Ballet School. By her teens she had discovered herpassion and talent for West African dance, and was taken under the wing of master dancer/drummer Ladji Camara. After two years of classical music studies at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Alisha went on to recieve a BA in Cultural Studies and a BFA in Jazz from The New School in NYC. Shortly after, a hot list of U.S.-based African dance companies sought Alisha as a company member including Maimouna Keita, Djoniba Dance, Ballet Bagata and Ballet Bougaraboo. She has lived and studied in Senegal, West Africa. Combining her gifts for dance with vocal talents landed Alisha several performance invitations to tour and record. An accomplished vocalist, she worked under the direction of Lester Bowie; and performed and/or recorded with Vieux Diop, Kasse Mady, Emeline Michel and tap dancer Savion Glover. Using her knowledge and talents Alisha inspires young and old to explore and learn about African music and culture. She teaches dance to children in New York City public and private schools, and is a featured performer with celebrated percussion groups Bonga & the Vodou Drums of Haiti and Heritage.

O.P.. Alisha can be heard on Bonga's latest CD "Ayiti Afrika".

Picture credit: Derek Jackson

James "Tiga" Jean-Baptiste
Percussion and Woodwinds

Tiga and Bonga performing
James “Tiga” Jean-Baptiste began playing Haitian drum at the age of three. Trained by his father Bonga, a master of the Haitian drum, Tiga has also studied formally with saxophonist Thurgo Theodat. He has developed a skill level rarely seen in musicians of his age. Before the age of 20, he toured Japan with the Tête Kalé orchestra; performed with jazz guitarist Jean-Bourelly and backed Grace Jones live by himself. Tiga excels on didgeridoo, an Australian pipe horn requiring circular breathing which he taught himself to play. He is also studying the Shona mbira and is adept on the Sabar drum of West Africa.