Ilé Ìlù|House of Drums

In 2023, Music Works started “Ilé Ìlù|House of Drums” in New York City. This goal of this unique event is to blur the lines between tradition, & performance, creating a space to immerse oneself in Afro-descendant culture, while providing a platform for world-class folkloric drum artists to perform & receive further exposure.

Pellito el Afrokan

Cuban percussionist Pellito el Afrokan is the grandson of the late great Pello El Afrokan, the inventor of the Cuban Mozambique rhythm/dance. He is a living repository of the Mozambique musical genre that his grandfather created, which became a Cuban national and international hit and sensation in the 1960s.

At his performance on October 28 at Ilé Ìlù | House of Drums, Pellito led an ensemble featuring world-famous percussionists Giovanni Hidalgo and Anthony Carrillo alongside talented NY musicians and Cuban trumpet player Dennis Hernandez. The performance was followed by a dance workshop with the audience learning the Mozambique dance steps. A special Cuban Bata drumming featuring Master Anthony Carrillo and young drummers Andrew & Misha Theberge opened the evening.

Past Ilé Ìlù|House of Drums Events

EVENT:

An Evening of Afro-Honduran Garifuna Culture featuring The Bodoma Garifuna Cultural Group

Bodoma Garifuna Cultural Band

Bodoma is a master, drummer, traditional singer, and community leader/elder of the Afro-Honduran Garifuna Culture. Influenced heavily by Garinagu community cultural philosophy of Garifunadua, the Garinagu connect their community and youth through music with their history, ancestors, and the beyond. Bodoma Garifuna Cultural Band performs Garifuna traditional musical rhythms such as DUGU, Banguidy, Paranda, Sambay, and Gunchey as well as popular music such as Punta.

Punta is an Afro-indigenous dance and cultural music originating in the Caribbean Island of Saint Vincent And The Grenadines by the Garifuna people before being exiled from the island. Which is also known as Yurumei. It has African and Arawak elements which are also characteristics of the Garifuna language. Punta is the best-known traditional dance belonging to the Garifuna community.

Bodoma recorded his first album with producer, Víctor Arzú entitled “Garifuna Emu niumeila” followed by “Tenki Afrika” and “Maracas Claves y Tambor.”

EVENT:

An Evening of AfroCuban Bata drumming and Rumba featuring world-renowned percussionist Anthony Carillo and his folklore group.

Anthony Carrillo was born of Puerto Rican heritage in New York, USA. At age 13, Anthony was already part of the well-known Puerto Rican folkloric group Areyto, directed by Mrs. Irene Mcleane.

During the early 80s, Anthony Carrillo became a member of the famous folkloric group, La familia Cepeda, the foremost exponents and keepers of the traditional styles "Bomba" and "Plena." After that, Anthony Carrillo became a member of Batacumbele along with Ruben "Cachete" Maldonado, Giovanni Hidalgo, Eddie "Gua Gua" Rivera and Papo Vazquez.

Since then, Mr. Carrillo has performed with artists such as Andres Jimenez, Paul Simon, Harry Belafonte, Kip Hanrahan, Eddie Palmieri, Descarga Boricua, Angel Olmos, Alex Acuna and Papo Vazquez Pirates Troubadours, as well as many others.

Jazz Batá Group

Jazz Batá group is led by Grammy-nominated drummer/percussionist/entrepreneur Chris "Ifatoye" Theberge, As a musician, Chris specializes in Afro/Latin drumming and its application to Jazz and contemporary music styles. He has studied and produced music in Cuba, Puerto Rico, Chile, and Nigeria and performed at Montreaux Jazz, North Sea & JVC Jazz Festivals, Red Rocks, WOMAD in New Zealand, Mount Fuji Japan, and the Blue Notes in Tokyo, Milan & NYC. Featuring Marcio Garcia (Keys and MD) and veteran virtuosos such as Jay Rodriguez and Ivan Renta, the Jazz Bata group also includes up & coming musicians and performs jazz fused with Cuban Bata drums as well as Afrocuban repertoire.

Ilé Ìlù|House of Drums Mission:

NYC has always been home to Afro-descendent culture. From West African/Yoruba Ifa to Ghana/Akan, Brazilian Candomble, Palo Congo, 21 Divisions, Haitian Vodoun, Garifuna, Santeria, Trinidadian Sango, Rastafarianism - all these expressions of African culture are ALIVE and vibrant in NYC.

Ilé Ìlù House of Drums aims to create a space to immerse oneself in Afro-descendant culture, live and in person in NYC. Enjoy world-class traditional folkloric drum artists from the African music Diaspora, while perusing a Yoruba market, experiencing ancestral & Ifa shrines, plus art, visuals, DJs + Caribbean food and bar. The Òtúrá Rigbè Temple in Queens becomes a traditional village, bringing together traditionalists and lovers of music & culture from across the vast NYC community to provide a platform for world class folkloric drum artists to perform & receive exposure.

Ilé Ìlù House of Drums celebrates these traditions in a setting that is organically connected to traditional cultures.

Presented by: Music Works | Otura Rigbe Temple | MOMENT NYC