Valerie Naranjo plays Banda Jel by Kakraba Lobi on marimba

This is Valerie Naranjo's transcription for marimba of Kakraba Lobi's piece, originally for gyil. Kakraba left his home at an early age. Younger and smaller in stature than most independent men, he was routinely disrespected and defrauded. He named himself Banda Jel (Lizard Egg), which has a very thick shell of a rubbery quality.  You cannot cut it it falls away. You cannot stomp it it rolls away. If you throw it at a wall it bounces back to you. Kakraba was never ready to give up or to shrink from adversity. This "self portrait"  depicts the gentleness, vivaciousness, sense of humor and drive needed to realize a dream.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• marimba
• gyil
• Africa
• Ghana
• Lobi
• Dagara
• xylophone

[sbuckit]

Talk about limb independence! Love this :)

[michipixie1]

i think you have a wonderful groove.

thank you.

so nice

Michi

[bgcorporation]

That...was freaking awesome.

[Wallaaii]

Beautiful!!!!!

[percussiongenius92]

what mallets is she using?