The World Beat Workshop, with drummer Robert Jospé and percussionist Kevin Davis, engages students in exploring the diaspora of West African rhythms in the Americas and their influence in current music styles. Using a map, percussion instruments and music charts, this interactive program brings musical, historical, cultural and geographical information to life with the journey of clave.
The program begins with a map of Africa and the Americas that illustrates the diaspora of African people to the Americas. The musical journey starts by demonstrating the clave and 12/8 polyrhythms. Group hand clapping exercises are introduced. Departing from West Africa, the first stop is Cuba with the introduction of Caribbean dances that evolved from the blending of cultures; rumba, mambo, and salsa. The similarities and differences of these are explained and an original song is performed to illustrate rumba. The next stop is Trinidad/Tobago, with a calypso played on drums and steel pan. Then it’s on to the Dominican Republic and the merengue. Dance steps to the merengue are taught (when age of group and space is appropriate). From the Caribbean, the journey continues to Brazil to highlight the samba and bossa nova. A samba group is formed on stage with students playing percussion instruments. The final stop is the United States and New Orleans where Afro-Caribbean rhythms influenced the birth of Jazz and Blues. The use of clave in second line marches through contemporary dance beats including Swing, Rock and Roll, Funk, and Hip Hop is demonstrated along with group participation.
Kevin plays timbales, bongos, shakere, steel pan, and congas in the workshop and Robert uses drum set and percussion. All instruments are identified and explained throughout the program.
The workshop can be tailored to suit any age group and level of ability. As a grant recipient with the Virginia Commission for the Arts touring program, matching funds for The World Beat Workshop are often available.
For more information or to inquire about booking, please email rjospe@aol.com.
Go to Open Beat for an article and video from the C-ville Weekly on the World Beat Workshop.
– R E V I E W S ——-
Thank you so much for World Beat’s thoroughly entertaining performances at Wolf Trap Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods this summer!
Your mix of musical genres, geography, history, and audience interaction was spot on for our audiences.
All of us at WolfTrap congratulate World Beat Workshop and look forward to working with you again in the future.
Sarah Andrew Wilson
Assistant Director, Education Outreach
WolfTrap Foundation for the Performing Arts
Vienna, Virginia August, 2008
Henrico County Public Schools Comments 2008
Ridge Elementary- “It was an awesome performance. They involved all the students and faculty. It was tied into geogeraphy and mapping skills in a very meaningful way.”
Ward Elementary-”Our kids and teachers really liked the performance. Great blend of information and wonderful music. We Would like them back whenever we can get them.”
I can’t thank you enough for the wonderful “World of Beat” assembly on October 4, 2007. Both programs, for the lower school (K-2) and upper school (3-5), were age appropriate and met our curricular goals. The children were engaged during the entire program and especially enjoyed helping to develop rhythms with you and your partner. Teachers and students thought this assembly one of the best we have had in years.
Ellen Freeman
Assistant Principal
Ethical Culture School
New York, NY
“The Humanities project (part of Arlington Public Schools) had a very positive experience working with Robert Jospe to provide programs at 4 Arlington Public Elementary Schools….Teachers felt that students were very engaged and all of the teachers said they would recommend this group to another school.”
– Mary Eckstein, Humanities Project Coordinator, Arlington Public Schools
“Our experience with the World Beat Workshop taught us how delightfully, intrinsically musical they are. They are skilled at reaching each group’s age level and each group’s temperament. …Combining geography, history, music, and multicultural lessons, their “lesson plan” is a model of what great instruction is all about.”
– Colleen McCabe, Ph.D., Academic Programs, Youth Schools, Department of Correctional Education, Commonwealth of Virginia
