ARTIST BIOS
Fode Sissoko, founder of Fakoli Dance & Drum, is a master drummer, kora player (African 21 Stringed harp), composer & choreographer from Senegal, West Africa. He is the grandson of Soundioulou Cissokho, King of the kora & most renowned master in all of West Africa. Fode performed as a Griot ( wandering musician/ storyteller), beginning kora at age 5 and by 8 was playing the Djembe and Dun Dun Drums. An acknowledged master, Fode has toured Africa, Europe and America. He also performed with the legendary Baba Olatunji for 9 years. Fode Sissoko has created “Fakoli Dance & Drum”, an educational organization of music, drum, dance and cultural exchange to keep alive the great musical tradition of his homeland. Fakoli means “ The ancestor ” in Mandinko, Fode’s native language. Mr. Sissoko runs yearly trips to Senegal where students immerse themselves in the music, dance and culture of West Africa. Fode Sissoko also performs original and traditional Mandinko music on kora & drums, teaches ongoing classes to children and adults and is available for assemblies, presentations, residencies, classes & workshops. Fode performs as a solo artist, with his band “Fakoli” or with “Fakoli Dance & Drum” in groups of 2 to 10 artists. We invite you to experience and be moved by the vibrancy and inherent creative power of this great musical tradition from West Africa.
Toby Stover; dancer, drummer, pianist, singer and teacher; started her studies in West African rhythms in 1985 and has trained on the djembe and dun dun drums intensively with Fode Sissoko since 1998. Her performing career as a piano accompanist began with Fenning's All Star String Band in 1973 with whom she has 5 CD’s. She also appeared as a featured pianist and recording artist with Allistair Anderson, Fiddle Fever and Walt Michael & Co. In 1998 Stover teamed up with Fode Sissoko and started performing on keyboards and voice with Fode’s newly formed group Fakoli. She also started dancing, singing and drumming in the folkloric group Fakoli Dance & Drum. Today she continues to perform regularly with The Vanaver Caravan, Fakoli and Fennig's All Stars. For bookings or more information: tobystover@earthlink.net or fakolidanceanddrum.com.
Story behind the songs:
"Yankadi" is the dance of the full moon, which originated in West Africa in the time before there was electricity. On the full moon the families would stay up late & be able to dance and drum by the light of the moon. This was a wonderful celebration time and it is still celebrated today.
"Jama Jama" means Peace & Peace. The rhythm & song come from Goree Island, which was the port that shipped slaves over seas during the slave trade. The Island gets it's name from it's bloody history... now the Island is a place of peace.
