Jazz Tap Ensemble - Bass Players

These are the three Congolese bassists that played with the "Kinshasa All Stars" at the Halle De La Gombe. I love these guys!  These three bassists epitomized the profound musicality, voracious appetite for learning, and generosity of spirit we experienced from all the musicians we met on our tour of Africa. Their  music teacher, Gabriel WADIGESILA is hoping to create a “Bass Day” in Kinshasa.

David Dunaway - Bass Player/Jazz Tap Ensemble

The Road From Kinshasa

Driving to Kinshasa airport to depart for Mozambique. 

We will miss our new made friends in Congo, but wait, will we make the flight !!!

Post Performance Joy

Jazz Tap Ensemble, 15 musicians and 25 dancers from local dance companies performed on stage together at Hall de la Gombe at the Institute Francais, Kinshasa, Congo.

Brazzeville, Congo

View from my hotel room.  A look across the Congo River to Brazzeville, Congo.  

We were not able to visit this country but it offered a great view from a room.  Lasting memories of the Congo.

Congolese dancers "doin' the shim sham!"  Young Congolese dancer improvising during the shim sham on stage at Hall de la Gombe, in finale of Jazz Tap Ensemble performance, Kinshasa, Congo.

The long and winding road... or is this a river!

On the road to see the Bonobos Monkeys  "Hendrix are we in an amphibious vehicle?"

Got Milk?

Bonobos Monkeys

This mother Bonobos is pushing a plastic bottle through the fence so the caregiver can replenish it with soy milk to feed her baby.  This is a very smart species of monkey known for, "making love, not war."  They use sex to ease social tension and end disputes. (Help make the world a better place....)  This monkey species is found only in the interior of the DR Congo.  The ride along the "long and winding road" was worth it!

Ladies In The House

The ladies give it flair!  Workshop continues with each JTE dancer teaching a group of dancers a segment of the Shim Sham.  They then come together to complete the choreography at the end of the workshops and perform on stage at Hall de la Gombe.

And then there was MUSIC!!!

The word is out and we know there cannot be dance without music!  The dance workshop was enhanced by a group of 15 musicians who came to listen, learn and make music.  Our music Director, Jerry Kalaf was in heaven, and boy did he do a great job... When the workshops were over (3 days), we had a "jazz orchestra" of 18 musicians (15 Congolese musicians) accompanying the 25 Congolese dancers that performed at 

Hall de la Gombe with Jazz Tap  Ensemble!  It was just plain awesome!

Playing the Club Scene 

The Black & White Club -- Kinshasa, Congo

JTE Musicians Doug Walter, David Dunaway & Jerry Kalaf

cars, cars, and more cars....

A road in Kinshasa. Traffic jams are the same no matter what country you are in... 

Inspirations on the Wall

Preparing for the workshops at Centre Culturel le Zoo, 

Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

The visual images on the walls set the tone for excellence!  Everyone was taking it all in!

The First Workshop in the Congo

Learning to do the "Shim Sham."  Male dancers (and there were many!!!) in their first workshop at the Centre Culturel le Zoo, Kinshasa, DRC.

Tap Shoes for Everyone

Tap shoes here, tap shoes there, tap shoes everywhere!  

With the help of BAM and Capezio, we were able to distribute approximately 500 pair of tap shoes throughout Democratic Republic Congo, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe.  At each workshop, in every country, the dancers who received the shoes were anxious to put them and and make rhythmic noises.  If the sizes weren't right, they made them fit... in some cases there were dancers

Anticipation!!! Can't wait to Dance!

Introduction to Jazz Tap Ensemble and the workshop lead by Artistic Director Lynn Dally

Approximately 50 dancers took part in this three-day workshop.

National Ballet du Congo

First stop is the National Ballet du Congo.  These amazing dancers performing one of their traditional dances welcoming us to their theatre!

American Style!

Dancers from the National Ballet du Congo dressed "American Style" to give us a taste of home!  

And, they tap too!

We are ONE!

National Ballet du Congo & Jazz Tap Ensemble

 Gathered after the demonstrations and looking forward to the workshops tomorrow!

JTE's first demonstration.

And we tap for you.  JTE dances for the National Ballet du Congo.  Maya Guice, Kenji Igus, Sandy Vazquez, and B'Jon Carter show their tap moves.