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Home  FAQs
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FAQs  From the list below choose one of our FAQs topics, then select an FAQ to read. If you have a question which is not in this section, please contact us.
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Our background is quite a long story, but generally it goes like this... Back in 1998, there was a small three piece jazz/rock band (Ted, Pavel, and Peter Meyer) that performed in the Salem, MA area. Mamadou Diop was introduced to that band at a party. They asked him to join them with his rhythm guitar when they found out that he was a well-known musician in Africa. Soon afterwards, he asked the jazz/rock band to be his band, with Mamadou writing and leading the group (then composed of John Pfister on bass, Pavel on lead guitar, and Ted Sillars on drum kit). Mamadou's good friend, Ibrahima Camara, performed with the band regularly as the lead percussionist. In 2000, Adam joined the band as the keyboard player. Michelle then joined in 2002 as a singer and percussionist. Finally, Mitch joined as the drummer in 2005. Together, we are MAMADOU. |
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We hold regular rehearsals, during which we explore new song ideas.
The songs we perform are composed and/or arranged by Mamadou Diop. Generally, he has these crazy musical ideas that roll around in his head constantly. Sometimes they are song parts, and other times, they are full compositions.
Mamadou will usually arrive at the rehearsal with a new idea (or two) that he then feeds to us (the band musicians). The musical ideas take the form of sound bytes that he will sing or play on his guitar. We make our best efforts to grasp his musical lines, and to play them on our instruments (guitar, bass, drums, percussion, keyboards, etc.). We generally go over the parts again and again until they "stick".
We also arm ourselves with personal recording devices to assist with maintaining the accuracy of our lines, so as to not forget them by the next rehearsal.
Eventually, we craft and adopt the beginnings, endings, and changes throughout the songs and compositions. There are queues that we throw in, to coordinate the performances of those changes.
In the end, we bring our new songs to our shows, and test them out on you; the audience. We only hope that you enjoy experiencing our musical performances as much as we do creating them. |
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Our music brings together ancient rhythms with modern electric instruments. The placement of the rhythms, with each musical part offset from the next, forms what we call "musical crosses". That is, in our music, you will find multiple call and response lines, syncopations, and polyrhythms.
Yet, we bring the music to you with some of the greatest musicians we could find. Just listen to the soulful guitar licks of Pavel Jirka, the unmatchable talent on rhythm guitar by Mamadou Diop, just for starters. The singing, the melodies, the multiple languages, and the colorful arrangements also lend to our trademarked sound.
In short, everything about our music is unique.
"You do not merely want to be considered just the best of the best. You want to be considered the only ones who do what you do." - Jerry Garcia |
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We are all professional musicians, earning all or part of our income through music. Our band members are all college educated with backgrounds including marketing, engineering, massage, business, graphic arts, language, and music. Our goal is to fully support ourselves with our music. |
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Our fan base ranges from young to old, but the average is probably the 20-something to 50-something. That coincides with the ages of our musicians. We often draw in the "jamm-band", rock guitar, and jazz fans, as well as those who love cultural experiences. |
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