Maya Soleil

The Magic of Maya Soleil

	Lora Chiorah-Dye from Zimbabwe sings, dances, and plays balafon, mbira, and other percussion with *Maya Soleil*. Lora has been thrilling audiences around the world for over 10 years with her own group, the Sukutai Marimba Ensemble, presenting high-energy songs of the Shona people.
	Karim Koumbassa from Guinea is a master drummer, instrument maker, vocalist, and kora player. He has studied the traditional music of his country extensively and worked with renowned African percussionists such as Famadou Konate, Mamady Keita. Karim was the Artistic Director of the performance company Oiseau Blanc and performed with several other professional ballets in Guinea.
	Awal Alhassan is a traditional Ghanaian performer, born and raised by a drumming and dancing family in Tamale, Ghana. Teaching and performing since the age of 7, he has worked throughout Africa both independently and with groups such as the University of Legon, the National Theatre of Ghana, and the Center for National Culture Dance Troupe, as well as leading the Zosimili after school program for youth. Now in Seattle, he leads Sohoyini Dance and performs high energy dancing and drumming with Maya Soleil and other groups in the Northwest.
	Bob Antolin from the USA is a multi-instrumentalist. He plays alto and soprano saxophone, flute, alto flute, various ethnic flutes and the WX7 wind synth controller. He teaches saxophone and jazz improvisation. He has performed in Japan, Canada, Europe and the Middle East.
	Rob Pastorok from the USA is the driving force for the melodic keyboards and balafon of *Maya Soleil.* From the age of 14 years, Rob has studied the intricacies of jazz, funk, and world music. Influences from years of gigging with African bands bring exotic rhythms to his playing. Rob is a Ph.D (Scientist) and currently on the advisory board for Youth Advancement through Music and Art.
	Lennox Holness from Jamaica brings forth those funky bass lines and deep grooves for *Maya Soleil*. Lennox has an authentic background in the Jamaican Reggae scene, having grown up on "The Island". After spending years gigging in England and New York City, he moved to Seattle in 1999 and established himself as a player of world music with a jazz edge.
	T.J. Morris from the USA is a powerful vocalist and versatile percussionist. His energy on world drum kit (full drum set plus congas, African djembe, and gourd) draws every audience's attention. T.J.'s skills come from years of intensive study, playing, and recording, including four years on the Los Angeles music scene. He currently is recording music for national TV commercials.
	Kofi Anang from Ghana is a dancer and master percussionist. Kofi graduated from the University of Ghana Department of Music and Dance. He perfrormed with the Ghana National Dance Ensemble as well as the internationally acclaimed group Oboade before moving to Seattle and forming his award-winning Ocheami Drum and Dance Ensemble.

Guest Artists and Former Members

	Moye Kashimbi first danced with the Zambia National Dance Troupe at age 9. As a dance instructor, she collaborated with Mapopa Mutonga (University of Zambia). Acting as a cultural ambassador for Zambia, Moye Kashimbi toured the world with several dance troupes, Julizya, and Amayenge. Appearing with *Maya Soleil*, she sings in the native language of her tribe (Lenje) and dances in both traditional and modern styles.
	Mwanike Wangu is a dancer and vocalist who grew up in a village in Sikapasha, Zambia. Travelling to the USA with the Zambian group Amayenge, she settled in the Seattle area in the early 1990's. Her weumbo (traditional bamboo skirt) and pot dance delight audiences everywhere.
	Naby Camara is a Guinea-born balafonist who grew up as part of a traditional griot family and eventually became the official balafonist of the Federal troupe of Conakry. Naby palyed with Fatala, Les Merve, Mandeng Yahara, and Les Ballet African de Guinea. He won a Juno award (canadian Grammy) for a CD with his own group, Lagni-Sussu.