Kimati Dinizulu

Kimati Dinizulu

Kamati Dinizulu is one of the leading percussionists in the world. He has worked and performed with many great artists such as Toni Morrison, Alvin Ailey, Eartha Kitt, Geoffrey Holder, Carmen de Lavallade, Donald McKayle, Gregory Hines, Harold Roberts, Sonny Rollins, Nina Simone, Harry Belafonte, Wynton Marsalis, Jackie McLean, and Dizzie Gillespie to name a few.

Biography

Nana Kimati Dinizulu first heard the sound of the drums in his mother’s womb.

Those echoes were the drums of his father. For several generations, the Dinizulu family has been involved in music. Mr. Dinizulu’s father, the late Nana Yao Opare Dinizulu was a world renowned African drummer. His mother, Alice Dinizulu, was a principle dancer for Asadata Dafora’s Dance Company which was the first dance company to put African dance, song and music on the Broadway stage in the United States of America from the 1930's to the 1950's.

In order to gain a deeper understanding of African tradition and culture, Kimati Dinizulu, as a young man traveled to Ghana, West Africa where he lived and studied for two years after which he returned to the United States. He subsequently has made over 30 trips to Africa where he now resides part of the year.

Music career

Kimati Dinizulu is one of the leading organic percussionists on the music scene across the globe. He has not only played with famous artists and singers such as Diane Reeves and Cassandra Wilson, but has also made considerable efforts in trying to increase the awareness of African-American history. His knowledgeable musical abilities range from that of Irish to World Music, from African to Jazz. He has played with artists of numerous cultures throughout the globe. Mr. Dinizulu is highly sought after for his percussionist abilities and his charismatic stage presence. Especially during recordings, Mr. Dinizulu is able to provide new and innovative ideas and create different sounds through his self-created

instruments which add a special flavor to the music. Also, his deep knowledge of various kinds of music throughout the world helps provide him with a foundation for which to create new and different music. His enigmatic personality and music not only leaves audiences spellbound but also provides them with a more profound understanding of the depths of organic music. He has recorded on several recordings with well-respected artists such as Wynton Marsalis, Steve Turre, director John Singleton, Paul Winter and various other artists.

Some of the critical reviews of the albums and concerts on which Kimati Dinizulu has worked on are:

The Guardian: Review of Sonny Rollins Concert, London on May 3, 2004 by John L. Walters

There's something timeless and monumental about tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins... Rollins is good value as entertainment, too. He announces that because of the bad state of the world they're "gonna keep things earthy". And he has the ideal band to do that, powered by percussionist Kimati Dinizulu and drummer Steve Jordan, with sweet-toned trombonist Clifton Anderson and ageless, longtime associate Bob Cranshaw on five-string bass guitar. The opener, HS (dedicated to Horace Silver), is funky soul-jazz over an extended blues chord sequence. They launch the second set with an even earthier tune and a glorious long Rollins solo over a one-note bass pulse….

…The absence of chordal instruments means that you hear everything very clearly, and there's plenty to hear: the way the explosive Jordan locks into Rollins's phrases, rangy, like a young Elvin Jones, almost leaping from his kit; the way Dinizulu manages to swing and rock at the same time, with a sure touch on congas and bongos; the harmonious way Cranshaw and Anderson blend on ensembles behind the leader's gruff tenor. Rollins can be cerebral, sentimental, joyful or emotional, whether playing bebop, standards, his own Caribbean classics (Don't Stop the Carnival, St Thomas) or the corny but moving Italian Folk Song. The audience, packed to the rafters, loves him madly.

Review of the album “A Cloud of Red Dust” from the album Blue Note of artist Stefon Harris by John Barrett, Jr. of allaboutjazz.com

Actually, the title is "Sophistry", but that's what you hear as this starts spinning - activity. Warm vibes rumble on the bottom as flute and Greg Osby's alto dance the theme, congas come in - it's busy and friendly....."Sacred Forest" is a showcase for percussionist Kimati Dinizulu. This might be the best of the short pieces: Harris plays balifone, and the wooden sound makes this come alive. It's short and hypnotic; it could go on forever.

Some renowned recordings on which Kimati Dinizulu has performed and or consulted on are:

• Without a Song: The 9/11 Concert by Sonny Rollins • Slavery and the Making of America - Original Soundtrack to the PBS Series • Martin Scorsese Presents a Film by Antoine Fuqua Lightning in a Bottle • Unforgivable Blackness The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson by Wynton Marsalis • Reeltime by Wynton Marsalis • Collected by Danilo Perez • Lotus Flower by Steve Turre • New Horizons by Vanessa Rubin • Jungle Swing by Johnny Copeland • Mental Images by Robin Eubanks • JLW by Joe Louis Walker • The Journey by Danilo Perez • Steve Turre by Steve Turre • 20th Anniversary Collection by Green Linnet • Don't You Know I Care by Antonio Hart • Anthems by Paul Winter • Undocumented Dancing by Pat Kilbride • Sanctified Shells by Steve Turre • A Cloud of Red Dust by Stefon Harris • Love Like Fire by Rick Henly • Greatest Hits by Paul Winter • Rhythm Within by Steve Turre • Silhouettes by Lonnie Liston Smith • Delfeayo Marsalis Pontius Pilate's Decision • Wolf Eyes by Paul Winter • So Far: The Collection 1979-1995 • 80th Anniversary by RCA Victor • 25 Years of Celtic Music by Various Artists • Wild Blue by Eileen Ivers • Paul Winter Concert for the Earth • Celtic Music Today by Various Artists • Joyful Noise: Celtic Favorites by Green Linnet

External links

• http://www.myspace.com/kimatidinizulu