MSUM Percussion Day

NYC-based drummer Allison Miller defies all boundaries bringing her individual sound to diverse types of music while preserving their stylistic authenticity. Allison goes from playing with legendary songwriting vocalists Ani DiFranco, Brandi Carlile and Natalie Merchant, to touring with avant- garde saxophonist Marty Ehrlich and legendary organist Doctor Lonnie Smith. She approaches each of these musical situations with her own stylistic identity and a creative, fresh and energetic approach. Allison was chosen as “Rising Star Drummer” in Downbeat’s 53rd Annual Critics Poll and has recorded six albums as a leader. Currently, she leads Allison Miller’s Boom Tic Boom and is a member of the all-female international modern jazz masters ensemble, Artemis.

Ralph Nader, a percussionist from Brooklyn, NY, started his performing career in the Jackie Robinson Center "Steppers" Marching Band. Entertaining is his calling, and Ralph does it best with celebrities, sport teams and stadium events. As a member of Black Fire Percussion, he performed with the NY Knicks and NJ Nets Drumlines during time-outs and halftime performances. While studying at Hampton University, Ralph was a member of the "Marching Force Drumline," while in the football off-season Ralph performed and competed with the 18-time world champion Concord Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps from Concord, CA. With the Blue Devils, he was a 2-time World Champion gold medal and drum title winner. After graduating from Hampton University, Ralph was westward bound, taking his innovative ideas and drumming flare to Disneyland, where, with a co-creator, the "Soundsational" Parade, Festival of Holidays' Toy Drummers, and Food & Wine Festival's Jammin’ Chefs musical productions were all born. Ralph's Disney inventiveness and performances sparked European and South American tour opportunities with the German Reggae/Pop band "Seeed." Performing with Seeed gave birth to the performing percussion duo entity "BYOS." BYOS has become a social media sensation, leading to performances with Tony Royster Jr. (Jay Z's former drummer), Allen Stone (R&B Soul artist), Travis Barker (Blink-182), and Beyoncé (her Coachella Festival concert). Ralph is an international educator with a ProMark signature marching stick to highlight his incredible achievements around the world.

Fodé Bangoura is the Artistic Director and Lead Drummer of Duniya. Fode hails from Guinea, West Africa and has been recognized internationally for his work as the lead drummer with the acclaimed ensembles “Les Merveilles de Guinée” and the national ballet of Guinea, “Les Ballets Africains”. A protege of the late Mohamed Kemoko Sano, Fodé is now one of the most respected and sought after drummers of his generation and is currently based in the Twin Cities. As an internationally acclaimed djembe artist, he has opened for Damian Marley at The Apollo Theater, performed on a featured spot on MTV for Black History Month and recorded with Trey Anastasio of the rock band “Phish.”

Whitney McCluskey is the director and choreographer of Duniya West African Rhythm and Dance troupe based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Whitney began her study of African dance at The Djoniba Dance and Drum Center New York with Master dancers from “Les Mervielles de Guinea” and “Les Ballets Africains”. Since then she has had the opportunity to travel to Senegal and Guinea to deepen her knowledge of West African Dance and currently teaches at The St. Paul Conservatory for the Performing Arts High School and Carleton College, as well as offering weekly community dance classes.