Africa --> West Percussion Trio comes to Malone

Their performance will be Monday, October 22 at 7:30 p.m. in the Stewart Room of the Randall Campus Center (“the Barn”) on Malone’s campus. It is free and open to the public.

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 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 many settings. Africa→West performs in concert halls, at jazz festivals, and in world music venues. The trio is often found in universities and public schools where it teaches classes, workshops, and performs with students of all ages. Africa→West has performed at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention, the Music Educators National Conference convention, WCPN, WVIZ, and many other locations around the U.S. The group an ensemble-in-residence at the Baldwin Wallace University Conservatory of Music in Berea, Ohio.

The trio’s has released several albums, and has also recorded with world-renown percussionist Valerie Naranjo.