Ben Bowtell
Ben Bowtell experienced his first community drumming performance at the age of 9 in Sydney. At 18, Ben lead Australia's largest community group, 'Wasamba!!' to Sicily, Croatia, and the 'Edinburgh Fringe Festival'. 'Wasamba' has toured to Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Canberra, Broome, and most recently New Zealand. Having studied a variety of instruments, Ben's brother was his most influential teacher in percussion and they continue to collaborate as they lead the two troops of 'Wasamba'. Ben leads a huge variety of workshops for all ages (4 to 84) and abilities. His simple philosophy is 'inclusion'. Everyone can drum and everyone should be part of a community. Drum circles not only share the joy of music but the embracement of collaboration.
WASAMBA!! What do you get when you combine 'LOUD Rio-Style percussion', a panoply of rainbow-hued circus samba costumes and the collective joy of many impassioned community members? The performance phenomenon that is Wasamba!!
'Wasamba' is a community-driven drumming group based in the port city of Fremantle, Western Australia that began early in 2003. In 2015, 'Wasamba' expanded the show by starting a second group in Broome. It is a favorite of West Australian event organizers because of its unique melange of drumming, dancing, theatre, circus, and 'portable party'.
More details:
