Henry's love of song, dance, and acrobatics started in Liberia, West Africa.
By the age of twelve he was already dancing in cultural troops throughtout
Liberia. At seventeen Henry became the lead vocalist in
the African reggae band "Music Messiah". He moved to the U.S. to further his
musical career in 1986
where he became the lead vocalist with
the "Rhythmex", a reggae, African music group.
Elizabeth, on mallet Kat synthesizer, keyboards, vocals and percussion,
has been absorbed in the study and performance of the rhythmic-based music of the
Caribbean, West Africa and Latin America for the past 19 years.
Her mallet playing has graced the jazz fusion group Wooden Hands, Steve
Bloom's Crux Ensemble, and the African jazz group, Mamaya. Elizabeth distills
an abiding love of multi-cultural music and dance into the music of Mama Jama.
Fallah's musical career started in 1976 in Monrovia, Liberia.
He was the leader/drummer in the
African reggae band, "Musical Messiahs".
He moved to the U.S. in 1989
where he played for the traditional group, "Cross Culture", a caribbean-soca band, "Caribash", and
performed as
vocalist and drummer for the contemporary rock and reggae group, "Six".
John, on woodwinds, keyboards, and vocals, and World Wide Web has recorded with reggae
superstars Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare, and performed with a host
of artists including: Ritchie Havens, Stephen Stills, Jimmy Buffet and James
Taylor. He has recorded four original albums with Pacific Orchestra and now
lends his writing skills to Mama Jama.
Avon is a self-taught musician with a fresh, unorthodox approach. He utilizes upright, fretless, six-string, and synth
textures to greatly expand the sonic horizons of the group. His playing balances astonishing improvisational flourishes
against a a rock-solid groove and a beautiful lyricism. Avon has played alongside such artists as Max Roach, Wallace Roney,
Larry Bright, and Charles Carlton. He has also appeared on numerous live television and radio
broadcasts.
Larry, on congas, percussion, and vocals has opened for Tina Turner, and
Robert Palmer. His powerful mastery of the drum was the driving force
behind the groups Daylight and Mamaya. Mama Jama thrives on the beat,
and it is Larry who furnishes the pulse.
Achille on
guitar, percussion, and vocals grew
up in Camaroon, West Africa, listening to and performing the hot dance
music of "highlife".He spent several years in France playing with
Jacob Desvarieux, founder of the internationally acclaimed group Kassav.
Achille has lived in Washington D.C. since 1983, performing with
various African and Caribbean groups. He brings a soulfully African
melodic sense, formidable guitar technique and compelling ryhthms from
the talking drum and congas to the music of Mama Jama.