Ubaka Hill ~ Drummer ~ Artist ~ Visionary

Ubaka plays her signature "Ube" drum, djembe drum and various other percussion instruments of different cultures including gongs, hand drums, rattles, didgeridoo and singing bowls. Her music is intentional and indefinable, inspired by her appreciation of celtic, jazz, latin, african, shamanic, folkloric, aboriginal and contemporary music, including the art of creative improvisation.

She creatively weaves percussion, poetry and song to inspire a positive, energetic atmosphere for her diverse audiences to sing and dance with her in solo performances and with The ShapeShifters, her multi-instrumental and multi-cultural, professional ensemble of talented musicians.

Ubaka is the Founder and Curator of The Drumsong Institute Museum and Archive of Women's Drumming Traditions of North America, the first of its kind about women's folkloric and contemporary hand drumming in the United States. She is also one of the visionaries and co-producers of the annual Catskill Women's World Drum & Percussion Happen'n in upstate New York. She is creater of the DrumMa award.

Extending and sharing her joy of drumming, Ubaka founded and directs The Drumsong Orchestra. The Drumsong Orchestra are the participants of her Drumsong Workshop. This has become her signature format of teaching and performing. Hundreds have attended Ubaka's Drumsong workshops. Ubaka has been called "a mid-wife of drummers". (More About Ubaka Hill)

Ubaka's workshops series Drumsong The Art and Spirit of Drumming is presented to people of all ages, various skill levels and physical abilities including deaf and hard of hearing throughout the US, including Hawaii, Alaska, and internationally in Canada, Australia and Japan; at local, national and international music festivals, community centers, healthcare facilities, holistic retreat centers, coffeehouses, conferences and concert halls. Reviews

Calendar of Workshops & Concerts 2008

"Beyond The Wind" is Ubaka's latest CD, released on her own record label Splevine Music Network in August 2006. "Beyond The Wind" features the ShapeShifters and The Drumsong Orchestra, and guest women drummers and singers from across the US. Ubaka's Recordings

Other recordings include: "ShapeShifters", released in 1995 features local New York City area professional musicians and student drummers. "Dance The Spiral Dance", released in 1998 features The Drumsong Orchestra, Edwina Lee Tyler, Caru Thompson, Suhir Blackeagle and many more. Both recordings are on the Ladyslipper, Inc .label.

Ubaka is interviewed and quoted in major holistic health and healing publications, books, film and video documentaries including Black Is, Black Aint, In The Footsteps of the Goddess, Eden Built By Eves, The Courage To Be and on the Wisdom Channel. She is also one of the performing artists interviewed in the award winning documentary "Radical Harmonies."

Concerts, Workshops and Conference weavings have included, Omega Institute (NY), Kripalu (MA), Rowe Conference Center (MA), Gathering of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers (NY), Michigan Womyn's Music Festival, Naropa Institute (CO), Harrisburg Artsfest (PA), Clearwater Revival (NY), National Women's Music Festival (IN), The Crossings (TX), Carolista Festival (NC), Mirabai Books (NY), Women And Power Conference (WA), Sister Singers Conference (CA), Concert of Colors (MI), Aeolian Hall (Ont.), Hollyhock (BC), Detroit Women's Coffeehouse, Mountain Moving Coffeehouse (IL) and in many citys and towns throughout the US as well as in Australia, Canada and Japan.

Ubaka has worked in creative collaboration and co-facilitation with many artists, activists and presenters; Vicki Noble, Kay Gardner, Randy Crafton, Repercussions, Judy Piazza, Barry Bernstien, Maria Breyer, Hillary Kay, Bev Grant, Hattie Gossett, Afia Walking Tree and she has recorded for Alex Olsen, Shawna Carol, and Xtine Baczewska.

She is a self-taught painter for over 20 years. Her fine art oil paintings have been made into prints and notes cards. Her painting were recently on exhibit in Harrisburg, PA - Women's Creative Expressions Gallery Walk She is also a wood crafter of drumming related instruments and accessories.

The "Ubak

a Hill Signature Drum - The UBE !(oo-bay) - co-designed and hand-crafted by Raven Tekwe of Wing of the Heron Drums. The"UBE !" drum is built based on Ubaka's specification inspired by her Djembe from Mali, which she has played for more than 10 years. The name "UBE !"is Ubaka and Djembe combined.A new name, a new drum. The "UBE!" was presented to the world in February 2003. Order your UBE ! www.wingoftheherondrums.com.

Ubaka has received numerous artist and community service awards. In a 2001 Drum Magazine national poll, she was voted 3rd as "Best Workshop Facilitator". She received "Drummer of the Year Award 2002 from The Voices of Africa Choral Ensemble, Inc. In 2005 and 2006 she was given Honorary Citizenship and Proclamation of "Ubaka Hill Day" by the City of Harrisburg, PA . She has also received awards for her community work with arts and leadership development.