Sekou Sylla was born into a family of music with a master drummer father, and a mother who was a renowned vocalist. Sekou took to musical instruments with uncanny ease, grace and confidence quickly playing instruments such as the djembe, djun djun, balafon, and krin.  Once he immigrated to the U.S. in 2004 from Cote D’Ivoire, he began to share his love of music with children’s groups and at numerous community events, including performances at One World Theatre, the Ears on Workshop 2004, Cosmofest World Festival 2005, The Masters Showcase @ Huston-Tillotson University 2005, Pecan Street Festival 2005, First Night Austin 2006 with the Djun Djun Dudes, and at the Austin Children’s Museum 2006. Additionally, Sekou has drummed for an after school enrichment program at Manor Elementary.

Aboubacar Sylla is a Guinean, born in Cote D’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), West Africa.  Aboubakar spent the first 10 years of his life growing up in the urban area of Yopougon, an area inside the capital city of Abidjan. Many children of this area begin drumming at an early age. Customarily, the children begin at an early hour to drum at the musical celebrations, until the older musicians come to play later. This is how Aboubakar began to first learn the traditional rhythms of West Africa. Aboubakar immigrated to the U.S. in 2004 and began to share his musical experiences through performances throughout the Austin area.  He has performed at the 2006 Festival Celebrating Youth, the Violet Crown Festival, La Zona Rosa, First Night Austin 2006, Manor Elementary and the Masters Showcase at Huston-Tillotson University 2005, to name a few. Aboubakar accompanies West African dance classes at Tapestry dance studio.

TONYA LYLES, drummer, singer, dancer, songwriter, poet and storyteller. Tonya began drumming in 1994 (and singing in 1973 at the age of 3!). Her musical styles range from gospel to folk, from the blues to reggae. She has studied drumming with Alseny Sylla, Edwina Tyler, Karuna Warren, Ubaka Hill and Babatunde Olatundji. Tonya drums and sings to heal and transform herself and the community.