"Voices Of Africa" Perform "Jin Golo Ba" @ 40th Street Summer Series, July 13, 2019

The 40th Street Summer Series is a beloved concert and dance series that happens once a month, May through September (though shortened to June-August this year). These events are promoted heavily by University City District and Penn.

"Voices Of Africa" was the headliners of this event in company with Netos de Kansala and Tyehimba/Camara Arts.

This musical selection is called, "Jingolo Ba", another favorite brought to us by Babatunde Olatunji from his Album, Drums Of Passion. Baba Olatunji came to the US in the 60's and he taught many the African percussion rhythms and songs and West African traditions from his homeland Nigeria. One of his star pupils was Santana who later recorded "Jingolo Ba" on his album, "Santana" SANTANA - JINGO-LO-BA (1969) LATIN ROCK https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACw2RIVZvZw

The 60's and 70's were a poignant time for African Americans, identifying with their African heritage gave them a sense of pride, wearing the African garments was effective in creating a fashion yet political statement. See my video, The Hidden Meanings Of African Clothing. https://rumble.com/v4na4ti-the-hidden-meanings-of-african-clothing.html

VOA as an organization , has been around some 40 years. We have traveled the continental expanse of the USA; appeared in Canada, Jamaica, London, Hawaii, and Ghana. VOA started out as a children's ensemble. VOA has now become an "African Cultural Arts Collective" that works with a variety of committed African Cultural Artist from around the Diaspora. Many of these artists are actively involved in the arts through dance, singing or drumming and lend their time to VOA to give it the professionalism, style and power that comes from well-seasoned artists in the field. VOA is exploring its expansion and enjoying the new faces; the new energy; the new excitement and has over the past year been demonstrating this to our audiences nationwide. And while we are not primarily an All Women's Ensemble anymore, we are able to gather up enough women to do a presentation when that is requested. VOA shares the power and joy of its music, which spans the African Diaspora, through traditional African and African American songs, message music, gospel, inspirational and healing percussion rhythms.

VOA is available for performances worldwide. Web: www.voicesofafrica.net Email: nanabaakan@voicesofafrica.net

Photo Credits: Ben Tran Photography
Videography: Latanya Mckelven