SABAR DANCE & DRUM

Rich Baba Faye comes from a long line of master Sabar drummers and dancers.  He is nguewel, which means he was born into drumming.  They say nguewel children are nursed from the drum.  He grew up in Medina, the nguewel neighborhood of Dakar, learning from his father, grandfather and his uncles the secret of the drum.  After mastering Sabar, Rich went on to master Djembe drumming as well.  From a young age he stood out as one of the most talented of his generation.  As a young boy he was a premier performer in Le Ballet Sing Sing Rhythm, both dancing and drumming.  Rich has also toured the international stage (drumming, singing and/or dancing) with many world renowned mbalax bands such as Youssou N’Dour, Fallou Diene, Baaba Maal, Ismael Lo, N’Diaye Rose and Mbay Dieye Faye as well as Peter Gabriel and Wyclef Jean.  He toured Africa with the Senegalese Rap group Positive Black Soul.  He has performed with Khaley Nguewel and Dimensions Dance Group.
Rich has taught and performed widely in the United States including Diamano Coura Conference in Oakland, California, Maimouna Keita African Dance Conference in New York City, KanKouran in Washington, DC, and Florida African Dance Festival in Tallahassee.
His exciting talent for innovation keeps his style always fresh while respecting the traditions of Sabar.  He is highly prized as a teacher and performer of Sabar dance and drum.