• "Pulsing rhythms, driving beats and strong harmonies (with relevant lyrics) make for a very danceable music that's infectious live, but should be quite radio friendly as well."
    The Capital, Annapolis, MD may '95

  • "I'm still hearing rave comments about MAMA JAMA's performance. Not only was your music excellent but your joy and spiritual resonance was evident as well."
    Shepherdstown Radio Company, WV May '96

  • "Your positive energy and the performance of your group made this year's festival the best yet!"
    Dance Africa, June '95
  • We were really impressed to see the people dance and enjoy themselves to your high energy music
    Oswego Harborfest, Sept. '95
  • "We've received more compliments, rave reviews and requests to have you back again than we can ever count! The party was an overwhelming success, and you were all indeed the shining stars of the evening. MAMA JAMA is a sure fire hit."
    America Craft Council, July '96
  • "...a wonderful and truly outstanding performance at our African-American Festival Weekend.
    Rarely have I seen the public so uninhibited and relaxed at the Walters."
    Walters Art Gallery, Feb. 93
  • "Even the duffers in the crowd become hoofers for the last dance of the evening."
    Smithsonian Institution Summary Courtyard Series, July '90
  • "The dance party that you had on stage, in the tent, and all over the site is still fondly remembered
    by a great many people."
    Bethlehem Musikfest, Aug. '88


    THE PLAYERS

    Henry Sar
    Henry's love of song, dance, and acrobatics started in Liberia, West Africa. By the age of twelve he was already dancing in cultural troops throughout Liberia. At seventeen Henry became the lead vocalist in the African reggae band "Music Messiah". He moved to the U.S. to further his musical career in 1986. Now Henry brings his dynamic presence and unique voice to the stage with Mama Jama, much to the delight of our audiences.
    Elizabeth Melvin
    Elizabeth, on mallet Kat synthesizer, keyboards, vocals and percussion, has been absorbed in the study and performance of the rhythmic-based music of the Caribbean, West Africa and Latin America for the past 19 years. Elizabeth distills an abiding love of multi-cultural music and dance into the music of Mama Jama.
    Fallah Dadzie
    Fallah's musical career started in 1976 in Monrovia, Liberia.
    He was the leader/drummer in the African reggae band, "Musical Messiahs". He moved to the U.S. in 1989 where he played for the traditional group, "Cross Culture", a caribbean-soca band, "Caribash", and performed as
    vocalist and drummer for the contemporary rock and reggae group, "Six".
    John Gladstone
    John, on woodwinds, keyboards, and vocals, and World Wide Web has recorded with reggae superstars Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare, and performed with a host of artists including: Ritchie Havens, Stephen Stills, Jimmy Buffet and James Taylor. He has recorded four original albums with Pacific Orchestra and now lends his writing skills to Mama Jama.
    Avon Lucas
    Avon is a self-taught musician with a fresh, unorthodox approach. He utilizes upright, fretless, six-string, and synth textures to greatly expand the sonic horizons of the group. His playing balances astonishing improvisational flourishes against a a rock-solid groove and a beautiful lyricism. Avon has played alongside such artists as Max Roach, Wallace Roney, Larry Bright, and Charles Carlton. He has also appeared on numerous live television and radio broadcasts.
    Larry Griffin
    Larry, on congas, percussion, and vocals has opened for Tina Turner, and Robert Palmer. His powerful mastery of the drum was the driving force behind the groups Daylight and Mamaya. Mama Jama thrives on the beat, and it is Larry who furnishes the pulse.

    Achille Ango
    Achille on guitar, percussion, and vocals grew up in Camaroon, West Africa. He spent several years in France playing with Jacob Desvarieux, founder of the group Kassav. Achille has lived in Washington D.C. since 1983, performing with various African and Caribbean groups. He brings a soulfully African melodic sense, formidable guitar technique and compelling ryhthms from the talking drum and congas to the music of Mama Jama.


    Mama Jama -- 'Dansez'

    By Geoffrey Himes
    Washington Post Staff Writer
    Published: September 1, 1995

    Review: Mama Jama: "Dansez" (Mama Jama).

    The varied backgrounds of the four principal members of Mama Jama explain the hybrid juju-reggae-funk sound of the Maryland band's second album, "Dansez." Guitarist Achille Ango grew up with the lilting West African music of his native Cameroon, while keyboardist- saxophonist John Gladstone has recorded with reggae superstars Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare. Bassist Orlando Phillips was a founding member of the Top-40 American funk band Starpoint, while marimba player Betsi Melvin has belonged to such local jazz bands as Wooden Hands and Steve Bloom's Crux Ensemble. All four sing and write, and their nine original tunes on "Dansez" prove an infectious mix of African, Caribbean and American polyrhythms.




    M AMA J A M A

    SELECTED APPEARANCES

    COLLEGES:
    U.S. Coast Guard Academy

    New London, Ct
    Loyola College
    Baltimore, MD
    Goucher College
    Baltimore, MD
    Johns Hopkins University
    Baltimore, MD
    Rutgers University
    Lawrenceville, NJ
    Cook College
    New Brunswick, NJ
    Hood College
    Frederick, MD
    Columbia University
    New York, NY
    Princeton University
    Princeton, NJ

    FESTIVALS:
     Artsplosure

    Raleigh, NC
    First Night Raleigh
    Raleigh, NC
    First Night Silver Spring
    Silver Spring, MD
    Harbor Fest
    Norfolk, VA
    Bethlehemfest
    Bethlehem, PA
    Artscape
    Baltimore, MD
    World Fest
    Largo, MD
    Smithsonian Institute
    Washington, DC
    Kennedy Center Open House
    Washington, DC
    Fells Point Fun Fest
    Baltimore, MD
    Oswego Harborfest
    Oswego, NY
    		 BUSINESS CONVENTIONS:
     Bell Atlantic
    Nevis, West Indies
    MCI
    Baltimore, MD
    Erol’s Video
    McLean, VA
    WHFS
    Baltimore, MD
    Redman Sports
    New York, NY
    Silver Spring Urban District
    Silver Spring, MD
    Meeting Planner’s Incentive
    Washington, DC
    Yacht Magazine Audi Races
    Key West, FL
    City Paper Best of Baltimore
    Baltimore, MD
    American Craft Council
    Baltimore, MD / Columbus, OH
    New Haven, CT