Master Teacher Aziz Ahmed to hold Healing Drum Workshop

Aziz Ahmed will be teaching a healing drum workshop so please bring your drums!!! A one day only special workshop, please come out and support Camara Arts in sharing ancient healing knowledge to the world for the upliftment of our youth and community. Work shop is Free to the public.

Abdulai Aziz Ahmadu was born February 9, 1955, in New York City. Baba Aziz, as he is affectionately named by students and friends, is a Folklorist, Musicologist, Drummer, Storyteller, and Master masquerade dancer. Abduali Aziz began studying African History at a young age with his Grandfather and elder Brother Mustafa Khaliq Ahmadu. In his early teens he was a political activist as a member of the WEB Dubois political action committee and as an organizer of Black Student Associations throughout the city. In 1969 his brother introduced him to Tony Robinson, one of Olatunji's legendary drummers from Drums of Passion. His first studies in drumming were with Ashiko drums and Nigerian folk music, Haitian folk music and Afro-Cuban Rhythms. During this early period Baba Aziz worked and studied with Pearl Primus, Alphonse Simber, Percival Borde, Charles Moore and others. Tony Robinson had also been the first to introduce Baba Aziz to the djembe. Baba Aziz met Papa Ladji Camara, the first Djembefola from Guinea to live and teach in the U.S. in 1972. Baba Aziz studied malinke folklore and history with Ladji for 8 years performing in his ensemble until leaving for Washington, D.C. He continued to study with Ladji until his death. Baba Aziz during his time with Ladji Camara also studied with Akintunde Balaogun, Yomi-Yomi, Pablo Landrun, Taiwo and many of the great drummers living in New York. He also was a member of the Chuck Davis African American Ensemble. Baba Aziz founded the Academy of Traditional and Contemporary African Arts and History and the Nanfoule folklore Society for the preservation, propagation and presentation of African folklore and to keep alive the teachings, songs and dances he learned from Ladji Camara. Baba Aziz began his studies of masquerade tradition with Baba Ishangi and Olukose Wiles two of the masters of the tradition in the U.S. For the past 30 years Baba Aziz has been the organizer of the Nanfoule Mask Society which has guilds in Washington,D.C. St Louis, Mo. and San Diego Ca. Baba Aziz continues to perform and teach throughout the U.S.