African Dance
Before Jamemurrell Stanley was able to walk or talk, he would lay on his back singing the rhythms that he heard while at drum and dance class with his mother. This was only the beginning. At the age of 14 Stanley traveled to Senegal, West Africa to expand his knowledge of African culture and music. Soon after returning to the States he began studying under the Senegalese master drummer Ibraham Camara, the former drummer for the National Ballet of Senegal. He also studied under Jah Amen And Leon Mobley, students of Nigerian master drummer Babatunde Olatunji. All this time Stanley was building a reputation for himself and his music on the Boston music scene.
Stanley has worked with Boston based groups such as Silmbo’ Aden led by Fatou Ndiaye, Group Mande directed by Mohammed “Joh” Camara, Art of Black Dance and Music, Unity African Dance and Theater company with his mother Akila Stanley, and with his uncle Leon Mobley and Da lion of Los Angeles, CA. His band credits include Charlie Brown Blues band. Berklee’s African/pop, jazz, and pop/R&B ensembles, Troupe Saloum, Jama Jigi, Samba Lolo, Mafanti, Mass. Production, Buru Style, and Rhythm Incorporated. Stanley has played for master classes led by Chuck Davis, Youseff Koumbassa, Cairo Diallo, Lamin Thiem, Djian Tie, Mohammed Camara, Kissima Diabate, Abdoulaye Sylla, Sekou Sylla, Marilyn Middleton Sylla, Mohammed “Joh” Camara, and Konkonkouran Dance Conference.
Stanley currently resides in Wendell, Massachusetts working as a musician for the Five College Dance Department. He teaches and lectures all over New England with Bamidele Dancers and Drummers through Young Audiences and The Drummers of Peace and Equality. He currently plays with Wendell, MA-based, Rhythm Incorporated, Zach Deputy, and Max Creek.