May 16, 2015 4:30 PM Afro-Brazilian Percussion Audition/Class for Arrastao do Dendê at Wissahickon Dance Academy

Join master percussionist Dende on Saturday, May 16th at 4:30pm for an introductory audition/class in Afro-Brazilian percussion. Since 2001 Dendê has worked with his Arrastao in New York, performing at venues from the Brooklyn Academy of Music to Central Park Summerstage. Now that he is living in Philadelphia he is holding auditions for percussionists of all levels (beginner to advanced) to become members of the group.

Members will learn to play timbal, caixa, surdo, repique, xequere, tamborim, pandeiro and much more with a former member of Timbalada! Dendê will teach you proper technique, exercises, tuning and maintenance, improvisations and soloing, traditional rhythms from candomble and samba de roda as well as the original rhythms and breaks from bands like Timbalada, Ilê Aiyê and Olodum.

Dendê is a percussionist, singer, composer, bandleader, teacher, and multi-instrumentalist. He’s been a professional musician since the age of 14, when he appeared in the frontline of Timbalada, Carlinhos Brown’s superstar percussion ensemble. With Timbalada, Dendê toured all over Brazil, Europe and Asia, appared on various television shows and has performed and recorded with such artists as Marisa Monte, Gilberto Gil, Carlinhos Brown, Ivete Sangalo and Sepultura. Having left Brazil in 2001, Dendê lived in NYC until 2014 and now lives in Philadelphia, performing and recording with his groups Dendê & Band, Arrastão, Ologundê, and Samba de Três. With these groups he has toured all over the US and Europe. In addition to his own work, he has his performed and recorded with artists such as Dance Brazil, Melvin Gibbs, Graham Haynes, Giovanni Hidalgo, Zakir Hussain, David Byrne and Vinicius Cantuária among many others. Register now to reserve your instrument.

$10.
Wissahickon Dance Academy
38 E. Schoolhouse Lane
Philadelphia Pa 19144