Description:

The 5 African Dances was composed between June 11 and 23, 2007, in Memphis, Tennessee. It is a collection of 5 pieces based on distinct Nigerian folk melodies and traditional rhythmic patterns, with the exception of “Tribute to Highlife,” “Ijo Faaji,” and “Palongo,” which are original in conception and realization. African music could be conceptualize from various parameters: dance, communication, social, political, economical, ritual, utilitarian, organology, melodic, harmonic, rhythmic, theoretical framework, creative and performance procedures, religious, and linguistic perspectives. The 5 African Dances celebrate and demonstrate significant aspects of African music through the use of tuneful melodies, repetitions, simplicity, call-and-response technique, harmonic organization, scale system, traditional creative procedures and irresistible dance rhythms. In addition, this work is a true summation of intercultural creativity–the amalgamation of Western idioms with African idioms.