Biakuye Unity Ensemble

"Melorhythmic World Percussion"

Among the Akan people of Ghana, West Africa, Biakuye means unity. It is the spirit of unity that brings the American and African members of Biakuye together to perform music that unites the cool sound of American jazz vibraphone, drum-set, and electric bass with the melorhythmic richness of African marimba, kalimba, and hand drums.

The Biakuye Percussion Group offers energetic concert programs, educational presentations, and workshops that engage audiences while providing education on African and American culture.   The group's original compositions and arrangements draw on a wealth of American and African melodic-percussion traditions including the Ghanaian gyil, Ugandan embaire, South African kalimba, Guatemalan marimba, and United States vibraphone.

Mark Stone, an expert performer of global melodic-percussion, formed Biakuye in 1993. Since that time the group has actively spread its message of unity through performances at numerous festivals, art institutes, universities, and schools. Biakuye includes master Ghanaian drummer Kofi Ameyaw, virtuoso American percussionist Roger Braun, and dynamic Senegalese bass player Issa Sall.   The group also collaborates regularly with the captivating Ghanaian dancer Sulley Imoro.  

Biakuye Percussion Group has performed at the Sacheon International Percussion Festival and the Pyeongtaek Super Percussion Festival in South Korea, the African Xylophone Festival in New York City, and has been featured on several Detroit Symphony Orchestra Concert Series.