Album Notes

Michael Markus graduated from Ithaca College with a Bachelor of Music degree in Percussion Performance. After graduation, he taught Afro-Cuban drumming while continuing his studies in Kung Fu, African dance, and African drumming at the Agape Institute for Movement Studies in Ithaca, New York with Maurice Haltom. He then moved to New York City where he studied with several masters from Guinea, West Africa including master drummer M'Bemba Bangoura and master dancer Yousouff Koumbassa. Michael travels yearly to Guinea, West Africa to further his knowledge with masters of the national companies Les Ballets Africains de Guinea and Ballet Djoliba. He has taught drum and dance workshops extensively on the East Coast through the Midwest to people of all ages and backgrounds. In January 2004, Michael released his debut CD Magbana. Michael is the Artistic Director of his company, Magbana Drum and Dance NYC. Michael has recorded a series of eleven educational CDs for studying rhythms of Guinea, West Africa. He is also the Director of the World Rhythm Center at the Collective, where he is also the teacher for West African percussion. Michael is currently an accompanist in the Department of Music & Performing Arts Professions at New York University.