About //
Waaju believe in highlighting the world's connection through less familiar creative collaboration. Encapsulating influence from a number of cultures across Africa, South America & beyond, the band delves deeper to leave behind preconception & promote forces largely unexplored in a Western context. Citing the rich history of Malian music as centrepiece, Waaju presents the vision of drummer & percussionist Ben Brown which draws from the exceptional spirit of the likes of Ali Farka Toure, Oumou Sangare, Tinariwen & Baba Sissoko.
Waaju is:
Sam Rapley - tenor saxophone
Tal Janes - guitar
Joe Downard - bass
Ernesto Marichales - percussion
Ben Brown - drums, percussion
"The groove writing successfully integrates the rootsy origins with the contemporary rhythmic complexity of their generation"
- Nick Smart
"Ben Brown is, without doubt, one of my favourite young drummers. He is musically interactive, highly creative and really listens and supports a performance from beginning to end with great imagination. This young man has a great future of music making ahead of him"
- Jean Toussaint