Mamadou Diop is from Sénégal, West Africa, bringing with him over 30 years of musical experience. As a youth, he became interested in playing music when his mother gifted him a guitar. He would go to the river at night and sit by the bridge and teach himself to play the rooted rhythms of Africa on his guitar. Today, Mamadou is one of the most respected rhythm guitarists from his country and an accomplished sabar drummer. He has an extensive musical résumé and has performed with the most celebrated musicians of Sénégal, touring his native West African country along with tours of Mauritania, Cameroon and the Ivory Coast. In 1991 Mamadou joined the West African band, Thione Seck, and traveled throughout Europe. In 1996 Mamadou came to the United States while completing a World Tour with the band. In Boston, Mamadou joined Master Drummer Ibrahima Camara's world beat band, Safal. In 1998 Mamadou formed his own band. Along with performing, Mamadou, a member of the Soninke tribe, teaches African life and culture. Mamadou has led drum workshops for public and private school programs. He also teaches weekly drum and dance classes for adults and children. In Africa, the expression of rhythm is used to make a connection with the soul. Mamadou expresses the virtues of African culture and, in his very personable manner, introduces participants to an understanding of life and spirit that is so prevalent in his culture. MAMADOU performs High-Energy West African World Fusion. In MAMADOU, Mamadou Diop is joined by Pavel Jirka on lead guitar, Adam Zampino on keyboard and vocals, Mitch Cohen on drums, Michelle Cherie on vocals, Diouck on tama & sabar, and special guests. It’s an endless variety of fun, danceable music that lifts your spirits and moves you! Please join us in the celebration of culture, family and friendship that is the spirit of MAMADOU…

Any jazz fan will tell you Marblehead native Harvie S is one of the great bass players on the scene. He's played with the absolute best of the best and continues to challenge himself and his peers in new artistic directions. Moreover, Harvie S is an acclaimed producer, bandleader, composer and educator, having performed with masters in jazz and Latin music over his remarkable career. Harvie S can be heard on several hundred CDs as a sideman, oten as a band leader, and another fifteen as a co-leader with a long list of musical giants including Tony Bennett, Pat Martino, Kenny Barron, and Michael Brecker—to name a few! Over 100 Harvie S compositions have been recorded on CDs, Records and Videos.

Harvie S arrived in New York, in 1973, from his humble beginnings in a small harbor town on the North Shore of Massachusetts; and within a short time, he was performing at major festivals throughout the world. After a stint with Stan Getz in 1979, Harvie S decided to make his first solo effort and within a very short time, rave reviews and chart toping success followed. Ever broadening his musical scope, Harvie S started studying Afro-Cuban music ten years ago and has been on the Latin-Jazz scene ever since. He combines both idioms in a bold new music with The Harvie S Band. The music is best described as Jazz on the Latin side, combining the melodic and harmonic sophistication of jazz and the extraordinary rhythmic intensity of Latin music. The Harvie S Band recent release, “Funky Cha," has garnered rave reviews. In addition to his performance career, Harvie S is an active educator: he has held the jazz bass instructor position at The Manhattan School of Music for both undergraduate and graduate divisions since 1984 and has been a guest lecturer at numerous other colleges and universities worldwide.

Tonight the Harvie S Band features:

William "Beaver" Bausch on drums is a Composer and Educator who blends his love for jazz and other American musical styles with a passion for Afro-Cuban and Brazilian folklore. Equally comfortable playing in the Blue Note, NYC’s Town Hall, or the Copacabana, Beaver brings his exciting blend of swing and clave to each musical situation. (www.grupolossantos.com)

Daniel Kelly on piano, an accomplished pianist and composer who has developed his own personal and unique approach to jazz, Afro-Cuban music and free improvisation music using keyboards, samplers and electronic sound manipulation as well as the acoustic piano. Daniel has also recorded two highly acclaimed CDs, “World” and “Duets with Ghosts.” (www.danielkellymusic.com)

Renato Thoms on percussion was born in Colón, Panama, and began his music training at the Conservatory of the National University of Heredia in Costa Rica. Renato has performed with numerous well know and well-regarded Latin jazz musicians and ensembles around the globe. In addition to the Latin and jazz idioms, Renato enjoys playing a variety of percussion styles including classical, pop and R&B. (www.renatothoms.com)

Victor Mendoza on vibraphone and percussion is considered by critics around the world to be one of today’s finest Latin jazz artists. The Mexican-born composer’s career includes performances with his own group and as guest soloist around the globe. As a professor at the Berklee College of Music, Victor has earned an international reputation as a jazz educator, regularly conducting master classes at major music schools and universities around the world. (www.victormendoza.com)