Author Archives: admin
NYU African Gyil and Percussion Ensemble
NYU African Gyil and Percussion Ensemble Valerie Naranjo, Director Luz Carime Santa-Coloma, Assistant Thursday, April 28th at 7:30pm (more…)
Associated Musicians of NY Cover
See Associated Musicians of Greater New York, Local 802 AFM Vibrations The musical lives of Valerie Naranjo Photo by Dana Edelson Valerie Naranjo, a member of Local 802 since 1989,…
Allegro magazine article on Gyil
Gyil: The West African Virtuoso Keyboard This article was written for Allegro, the magazine of the New York City musicians’ union (AFM Local 802). For more background, see There was…
Mandara Music’s most recent releases
Banda Jel - advanced, for 5 octave marimba - Kakraba Lobi's "self portrait" composition proceeds from gentle gospel-like themes to grooves with the blues shuffle-like 12/8 feel. …
Barry and Valerie in the Documentary film Knock on Wood
Knock on Wood is about how a single individual can change the status quo. This documentary by Ron Grunhut is the story of Valerie's groundbreaking first trip to Ghana, where…
Latest CD!
Our Latest CD has a new look Please note that the CD Mandara Music Sampler is the repackaged "World Music for Western Percussion Ensemble". Mandara Music Sampler has exactly…
Valerie wins again!
The 2011 Drum! Magazine Reader's Poll has elected Valerie winner of the "Drummies" award in the Mallet Category, and runner up in the Clinician category. This is her third Drummie…
“Knock on Wood” lives on…
It was selected to screen as part of the recently concluded Humanity Explored Film Festival, which was seen by people from 220+ countries. Now, "Knock on Wood" is streaming on-line…