AfroWelsh Connection

Performances

Music Workshops

We are Bunja Conteh and Liz Conteh, husband and wife team. Bunja born and bred in The Gambia, West Africa, Liz born and bred in South Wales hence the name AfroWelsh Connection.

Our aims are to provide music participation workshops that are both fun and educational,
to create a wonderful musical cultural exchange between Africa and the UK, and to try and keep the beautiful music and songs, culture and tradition of the West African griots alive.

We are the founder members of our band AfroWelsh Connection.
Our music is based on the traditional African griot kora tunes and songs of West Africa.

Please check out our Facebook page AfroWelsh Connection for videos and info etc.

AfroWelsh Connection are equipped to make participation in music fun and educational for both young people and adults in our music workshops. Accessible to everyone (age 7 years upwards) and encourages 'non-musical' students to participate.

AfroWelsh Connection can provide music participation workshops which involve:-

African Drumming - Learn about the different sounds from the drums and how to play at least two complete West African rhythms with control and rhythmic accuracy as a group.
Singing - Learn to sing in Mandinka traditional West African griot kora songs in unison and two part harmonies using the African call and response style to the sweet sound of the kora. (We like to combine the singing and the drumming but can do each separately if required).
Educational History Workshops - about the West African griots' culture and tradition - the musicians/ story tellers/ oral historians/ mediators/ entertainers and praise singers of West Africa whose craft is passed down from generation to generation.
Kora and Meditation - helping to relieve stress and anxiety. Relax and de-stress to the beautiful soundof the kora.

Liz Conteh (Batchelor of Arts) - Liz is a degree qualified musician who plays and teaches piano, guitar, accordion and African djembe. She is also a singer and song-writer.

Liz has been studying African drumming for more than 20 years and has travelled to Africa many times to learn new rhythms. She has worked both professionally and voluntarily on many community music activities and has facilitated African Drumming Workshops in schools, colleges, universities at community events and with adult groups.

Liz has 30 years of experience playing keyboards/piano, accordion, African djembe and guitar in bands playing a wide variety of different styles of music at a variety of different venues - pubs, clubs, theatres, festivals charity and outdoor events.

Bunja Conteh - Bunja was born into a famous griot family in Brikama Town, The Gambia, West Africa. His grandfather Alhajie Bai Konteh was the first to travel and introduce the kora to American audiences in the 1970s.

Bunja is a skilled kora player and oral historian. The kora is one of the traditional instruments of the Mandinka griots - its a 21 stringed instrument and is the African version of our harp. Whilst in The Gambia he has taught kora and oral history to many students from all around the world at The Konteh Kunda School of Music in Brikama. Bunja is currently writing a book about the history of the West African griots and the kora and is keen to teach and share the history of his culture and tradition

Bunja Conteh

Kora player, composer

Bunja Conteh was born in The Gambia, West Africa into a griot family (Griots are the musicians, oral historians, mediators, praise singers, story tellers of West Africa whose tradition is passed down from generation to generation). Bunja is a skilled kora player and oral historian.

Liz Conteh

Electro-acoustic guitar, vocals

Liz Conteh is a degree qualified musician/song-writer who plays piano, guitar, accordion and African djembe. In AfroWelsh Connection she is the lead vocalist singing in the Mandinka language and guitar player.

Terry Payne

Mandolin, violin

Terry Payne is AfroWelsh Connection's local multi talented mandolin and violin player. Terry is also a very good guitar and flute player and plays these instruments in other bands.

Chandra Moon

Flute, percussion and backing vocals

Chandra Moon is our talented flute player and also sings backing vocals and some percussion. Chandra is also a singer song-writer and has released a few of her own albums.

Omar Sanyang

African calabash and djembe.

Omar Sanyang is a talented percussionist from Senegal. Omar plays calabash on our music and some djembe.

Lucy Marley

Backing vocalist and percussion

Lucy Marley is our local talented backing vocalist singing beautiful harmonies and playing shaker on our music.

Workshops

Fun and educational music participation workshops. African drumming, singing in Mandinka call and response style, educational history of the West African griots or kora and meditation workshops can all be provided. Proven to improve teamwork skills, listening skills, co-ordination, self confidence and self esteem, personal expression and dexterity.

One to one tuition

We can teach one to one lessons - African kora, African djembe or piano. If interested please just contact us.

Cultural and Musical Holidays to The Gambia

Come and join us for an African Drumming holiday near the idyllic, beautiful and quiet beach in Kartong, The Gambia. Learn African rhythms in a relaxed atmosphere and guaranteed sunshine. Kora, balafon and guitar lessons are also available. Accommodation, music tuition, full board - tasty African food, airport transfers, friendly team to ensure you have a good time all provided you just have to book your flight separately.

Performances

We are available for performances at festivals, weddings, community events, charity events, venues, schools etc. Please just contact us to make a booking.