West African Drumming and Dancing

J Frederick Jones, AKA Djangewali, hails from St Louis, MO, where he began his studies in African arts in 1974, under the direction of Mor-Thiam, a musician and choreographer from Senegal.  He later moved to Chicago, performed with the Sun Drummers, and became a musical director and dancer with Muntu Dance Theatre.  Fred moved to Los Angeles in 1990, studied in Mamady Keita's TamTam Mandingue (Certified Instructor-2005), and Moustapha Bangoura's Le Bagatae.  He is currently the artistic director of Abalaye African Dance Ensemble.

 

He has worked with his teachers noted above, as well as Stevie Wonder, Stanley Clarke, Lorenzo De Jesus, Bill Summers and Suleiman Diop, among others.  He has taught Guinea drumming at UCLA since 1998, and currently teaches Guinea dance there as well.  Fred has done numerous residencies in local schools, and teaches community classes in Los Angeles and Culver City.
 
For further information, please call 310-903-7367 or email: fredjonesla@yahoo.com

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