MIT Rambax Ensemble in Senegal

In January 2012, Rambax MIT traveled to Senegal to study sabar with the Mbaye family. Rambax student, Jess Kim '10, put together a 10-min video to document the group's tour and to thank the sponsors who made the trip possible.

Rambax - Lamine Toure

About
Rambax MIT is an ensemble dedicated to learning the art of sabar, a vibrant drum and dance tradition of the Wolof people of Senegal, West Africa. (The name "Rambax"—pronounced "rahm-bahk"—is the vocalization of a signature sabar drumstroke pattern.) Founded in 2001 and co-directed by artist-in-residence Lamine Touré and faculty advisor Patricia Tang, Rambax MIT consists of MIT students and other members of the MIT community.

Rambax MIT 2011-2012 is: Kerry Box, Monique Brewster, Otto Briner, Jackson Crane, Justin Cullen, Joy Ekuta, Leah Hokanson, Sooyeon Jeong, Ryan Keating, Tshiamo Lechina, Chelsie Librun, Gabriella Martini, Sean McDonald, Viveka Mishra, Ted Moallem, Rafael Nonato, Kwadwo Nyarko, Rebecca Odim, Tochukwu Okoro, Victoria Okuneye, Tamara Peña, Hank Peppe, Krista Speroni, Tim Villabona, Rich Whalley, James Wiken

Lamine Touré is widely recognized as one of Senegal's leading percussionists. Born into a griot family of sabar drummers, Touré has been drumming since the age of four, performing with his family troupe at weddings, baptisms, and dance events. Former percussionist for Nder et le Setsima Group, he now leads the Afro-mbalax band, Group Saloum. Since Fall 2002, he has served as co-director of Rambax MIT. He also teaches sabar drum and dance classes in the Boston area.