Joseph "Pepe" Danza

DRUM PRAYERS

Magical Soundscapes

Exhuberant Dance Music

Deep Listening

A Soulful Union of Ancient and Modern

Joseph Pepe Danza & Drum Prayers bring together the rich and varied tapestry of Sacred Traditional forms of percussive music with a new, innovative and universal approach. The group's show draws from South American and African styles, but the repertoire is entirely original and broad in it's scope, bringing the modern and the ancient together. Their dynamic performance on drums from around the world is enriched by the use of movement, voice, and unusual melodic instruments. In this realm, members of the group sing, play flutes, whistles, the Zimbawean Mbira (a 22 key thumb piano), the Hang (a metal Udu/Steel Drum), and the Marimba.

Audiences will be delighted by the wonderful visual impact of the group, and their ability to create a magical soundscape for deep listening, as well as high energy music for exhuberant dancing. Drum Prayers infuses audiences with a sense of transformation, community celebration and soulful abandon!.

Originally founded in 1991, Drum Prayers performed and toured intensely for five years, recording a CD (Skin) which went to become a classic in the World Music Drumming and Dancing community. The group has now been reformed with one original member, Ron Stelting, and the addition of three incredibly talented and beautiful female drummer/dancers: Sasha Levin, Allison Griffith, and Pepe's partner, Navaro Franco, who has brought the dance element into the band, her virtuosic playing of the Shekere, her magical stage presence and many new approaches to the band's repertoire.

The group can play in Concert venues, Outdoor Festivals and Corporate Events. The repertoire and number of members can also be expanded to accomodate the needs of specific events. Besides African and Latin music, the group can play Uruguayan Candombe and all styles of Brazilian Music.