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ARTIST STATEMENT
Djembe means unity. The djembe drum unites drummer and drum, drum and
dance, individual and community, one and oneness. As a creative artist, I am
grateful for my gift. I am inspired by the richness it brings me, and I want
to “give” this love to others.
My goal in
making art is to inspire others, not necessarily to play the drum (although
I am as pleased as punch when this occurs), but to realize their passion. I
believe this realization spawns a natural inclination to share, and when we
share, we come together. We unify.
My role as an
artist within the community, my role as a djembe player, is to bring people
together — to inspire, bring a little happiness, some joy, a lot of love,
and...
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BIO
As a young child, Kazi Oliver tapped out rhythms on many a household item,
including tables, counters, even a sister or two. When his mother
discovered that a local afterschool program offered African drumming, Kazi
was promptly directed to attend. Since these early beginnings, he has truly
become the drummers’ version of the Pied Piper, engaging children and adults
in experiencing the energy and excitement derived from African drumming.
Workshops and
classes led by Kazi are not only educational, but also promote cultural
awareness and a sense of community. Participants are introduced to an
impressive array of African drums, cowbells and other percussion
instruments. They receive instruction in proper techniques for striking the
instruments, as well as the historical and cultural importance of the drum.
Kazi’s humorous and fun-loving nature puts even the most introverted student
at ease and facilitates the learning of both traditional African rhythms and
original rhythms expressly created by the instructor.
Kazi has been
teaching for 20 years and performing for over 25 years. Ongoing classes are
available for children and adults in both Peekskill and Newburgh, NY. He is
also musical director of the Kazi Oliver Drummers
and Dancers, an
ensemble of artists from this continent and the continent of Africa.
Professionally,
Kazi has performed in many places. Some of his most notable appearances
have been at the famed jazz venue, the Village Vanguard, at the Museum of
Modern Art in New York City, and on ABC-TV’s “The View.” Yet Kazi enjoys
just as much his appearances at community festivals, schools and events that
bring together multigenerational and multicultural audiences to experience
and enjoy the awesome power of the African drum.
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ARTIST PRESENTATIONS AND
WORKSHOPS
Beacon Family Health
Services, Beacon
Cathedral of St John the Divine, NYC
Families First, NYC
Hudson Valley Health Care, Peekskill
Newburgh Family Health Center, Newburgh
Project Liberty, NYC
St. Andrews Episcopal Church, Beacon
St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Newburgh
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Peekskill
Theodore M. Young Community Center, White Plains
Unitarian Society of Yorktown
Westchester Arts Council, White Plains
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ARTIST RESIDENCIES
WESTCHESTER COUNTY:
Brookside
Elementary School, Ossining
Copper Beach Middle School, Lakeland
Furnace Woods Elementary School, Montrose
Haldane High School. Coldspring
High View Elementary School, Greenburgh
Garrison Elementary School, Garrison
George Washington Elementary School, Peekskill
Gorton High School, Yonkers
Lakeland Children’s Center, Lakeland
Museum Middle School, Yonkers
Oakside Elementary School, Peekskill
Ossining High School, Ossining
Park Elementary School, Ossining
Park Street Middle School, Peekskill
Shrub Oak Lakeland High School, Lakeland
Strang Middle School, Yorktown
Uriah Hill Elementary School, Peekskill
Van Cortlandtville Elementary School, Peekskill
Walter Panas High School, Lakeland
WJCS-Family Center, Yonkers
Woodlands Middle School/High School, Greenburgh
ROCKLAND COUNTY:
Bardonia
Elementary School
Cherry Lane Elementary School
Cottage Lane Elementary School
Lakewood Elementary School
Laurel Plains Elementary School
Liberty Elementary School
Little Tor Elementary School
Montebello Elementary School
Strawtown Elementary School
Upper Nyack Elementary School
Viola Elementary School
West Nyack Elementary School
Woodglen Elementary School
William E. Schaffer Elementary School
ORANGE COUNTY - NEWBURGH:
Broadway
Elementary School
Fostertown Elementary School
Gardenertown Elementary School
Homeschoolers Tri State Region
Horizons on the Hudson Elementary School
Meadowhill Elementary School
Montgomery Elementary School
Newburgh Free Academy High School
Newburgh Head Start
Newburgh Performing Arts Academy
North Junior High School
South Junior High School
Tri State Region Home Schoolers
Washington Street Pre-K
DUTCHESS COUNTY:
Gov. George
Clinton Elementary School, Poughkeepsie
COLLEGES:
Dutchess County
Community College
Lady of the Good Shepard College
Marymount-Tarrytown
Orange County Community College, Newburgh/Middletown Mercy
Rockland Community College
Westchester Community College
CAMPS:
Camp Hand in
Hand, Connecticut
Church of the Good Shepard, Bronx
Creative Arts Camp, Peekskill
Depot Theatre Summer Arts Camp, Garrison
School of the Tarrytowns Camp, Tarrytown
Yonkers Community Action Program, Yonkers
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