ADAAWE: Press

TALKING DRUMS – Press quotes

"But the top music story at this year's festival was undoubtedly Adaawe, an L.A.-based rhythm and vocals outfit that featured seven talented and diverse women. Oh, there were other anticipated performers (Mickey Hart) who dazzled the crowd, but Adaawe blew away its audiences with its mix of high-octane percussion, funk, Gospel-infused lyrics and pure joy. The women, a melting pot of talent from Kenya, Morocco and Brazil as well as the United States, performed three times and became the talk of the festival.” - Alan Sheckter, Sixth Annual California Worldfest

“Now you have seen something truly wonderful...these women, these different faces from all over the world, this music is what will bring us all together.”
- Babatunde Olatunji

“The six-woman-strong African musical group, ADAAWE, transformed UCSB's Multicultural Center Theatre into an international kaleidoscope of sights and sounds utilizing an extensive array of African drums and percussion instruments accompanied by multilingual vocals and a capella exclamations of ancestral joy. It was extraordinary to see women play large drums with an intensity and preciseness equal to any man's.” - Santa Barbara Independent

“The crowd also was delighted by the invigorating, seven-woman percussion group ADAAWE.”
- Steve Hochman, Los Angeles Times

“ADAAWE, an international six-member group of women singers and percussionists, could be described as L.A.'s answer to Zap Mama.”
- Los Angeles Weekly

“A potent, a capella force...powerful drumbeats...beautiful, good, good music.”
- DJ Nnamdi Moweta, KPFK 90.7 FM, L.A.

“You're going to love them!”
- Barb Junger, BBC Radio, Scotland

“The product of long African research trips and a profound understanding of what makes a piece come alive. The show is an irresistible combination of diverse musical traditions in song and dance, delivered with energy and commitment in a warm and celebratory atmosphere.”
- The Scotsman

“It was wonderful to see these women play the drums. The sound of bells, djembes, kpanlogos, djun djuns, shekeres, ocean drum and congas captured the audience. The band connected easily and immediately with the audience. The audience identified with the music due to the international language of the art… I can say they were like rivers flowing into the same ocean: Music”
- Manuel Garcia-Sanchez, Sound Off

“Propelled by the surging rhythm of ancient drums, female voices conquer the afternoon stillness.”
- UCLA Daily Bruin