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BIO Renowned master drummer Jorge Alabe grew up immersed in the afro-Brazilian religious tradition -Candomblé - and in the rich musical culture of Brazil. He is an "Alabê" of the oldest Candomblé house established by the Africans in Brazil -Casa Branca. The title of "Alabê" means that he has obtained the highest level in drumming and master of ceremony in the Candomblé religion. This name is rarely bestowed on drummers unless they have been initiated, mastered and have years of experience in Candomblé rituals. Jorge Alabê was the rhythm director of Minas Geraes Samba School in Belo Horizonte and a member of Padre Miguel Samba School in Rio de Janeiro and performed in recordings, shows and classes with many other musical groups as with Brazilian star Milton Nascimento - Missa dos Quilombos and the afro-Brazilian historian Mercedes Batista.This experience took him to the world known Brazilian group OBA OBA as percussion director. In 15 years working with Oba Oba, Jorge world toured through Europe, Asia, South America and USA with a high light show on Broadway - New York. Since 1995 Jorge has conducted workshops on Candomblé and Samba in USA. He leads student groups held in New York, San Francisco, San Diego, Philadelphia, Boston, Washington DC, Austin, San Antonio TX among others. Jorge has built the relationship between New Orleans and Brazil by presenting a series of workshops on traditional Afro-Brazilian religious drumming and dance, added to the contemporary Brazilian rhythms to the local universities (Tulane, Loyola, Southern universities and various elementry schools) and community organizations during Black History month. Currently he is doing a residency with New Orleans first Escola de Samba, Casa Samba, under the direction of Curtis Pierre. He has worked with Curtis for the past year helping to strengthen the musical and performance skills of the group during Mardi Gras. . In addition, he has worked on the development of an after-school cultural arts program at Eden Park Elementary School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and for the past three years has been teaching afro-Brasilian cultures for New Orleans Recreation Departments Teen Camp Summer program and was Honored by the cites Mayor Marc Morial. |
