Bio
ADAAWE
Seven Women, Five Countries, And The Power Of Music
Deriving from West African roots, Gospel harmonies and American funk, women-led group ADAAWE creates a global fusion. Diverse and dynamic, these seven women bring their percussive and harmonic sound to every stage, while embodying and maintaining feminine strength; captivating audiences everywhere.
Hailing from Kenya, Morocco, Israel, Panama and across the United States, the talented musicians of ADAAWE deliver diversity, intercultural understanding and inclusive global music, building community through powerful performance.
ADAAWE has headlined performing arts venues, festivals, colleges and clubs across the U.S., and opened for such artists as Mickey Hart, Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Michael Franti. ADAAWE's album "Passage" is an arresting collection of world-fusion, ranging from their trademark vocal percussion and djembe drum rhythms to Afro-funk, reggae and soul.
ADAAWE has supported benefit events such as “Human Rights Watch,” with Annette Benning, “Roots & Shoots,” with Jane Goodall, the “Urban Peace Awards” with Harry Belafonte, as well as “Global Soul,” Heifer International,” and “Jewish World Watch.” Recently, they performed at the wedding of Stevie Wonder, were “Pick of the Fringe” at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and with their full nine piece fusion band, toured the East Coast with the Levitt Pavilion Foundation.
ADAAWE is currently booking performances for 2021-23. Options include:
- Nine-piece band, with bass and guitar, for full concerts (two sets).
- Five to seven piece acoustic vocal and percussion ensemble for events (up to one set).
- Optional additions include two or more African dancers, keyboard player, horn players, etc.
- Virtual live-streamed concerts.
- Virtual live educational drum and/or dance workshops and speaking engagements.
- Custom social media video "shoutouts" for your audience - engaging drum and vocal greetings from ADAAWE!
Music - listen here
Press photos
Grand Annex, credit Taso Papadakis
Press Photo, credit Mark Blackburn
Credit Skirball Cultural Center
Video
Quotes
“They were just sensational. . . . Dancing, movement, heartfelt stuff.”
— Susan Scott, Ventura Music Festival
“The Adaawe performance was fantastic. Wonderful women, excellent music. The audience was very into it - seldom do we see people dancing all over the tent aisles like that. I have heard nothing but positive feedback from everyone who attended!”
— Terry Meyer, Program Director, Big Top Chautauqua, WI
"Great music - and, for women to drum is radical!!"
- Gloria Steinam
“Featured is an action shot of just one of the drummers of the all-woman percussion ensemble Adaawe ... It completely captures the energy of the women as they drum and sing themselves and their audiences into a state of joy .”
— Kathryn Girard, Executive Vice President, Skirball Cultural Center, LA