Drums 4 Life was founded by Kojo Bey who has over 30 years of experience as a student of African drumming and dance. Drums 4 Life was started to give individuals and groups the opportunity to experience the benefits and healing of the drum. D4L was founded in the New York Tri-state area and moved to the Charlotte community in 2008. We all exist with our own rhythm-our heartbeat. D4L gives participants the opportunity to connect hearts.
Drums 4 Life primarily uses jembe drums, doundoun drums, and shekeres during sessions. D4L Instructors are all drummers and dancers from the family-based professional troupe SOUNDS OF AFRIKA 3G.
ABOUT DRUMS 4 LIFE
Philosophy
“Let us benefit from the ancestors’ Divine creation called Drum. They had the foresight to send us a tool that would assist us in wellness, development, self-expression, and inter-dimensional communications rooted in ancient tradition.”
– Kojo Bey, (CMHA) Community Mental Health Affiliates Annual Conference 2013
Mission
Provide participants with empowering tools for healing through individual and group drumming.
Vision
The foundation of a person’s life is the heart and the healthier the heartbeat, the better we feel. Each one walks with a unique rhythm as the heart beats. The drum allows us to explore our inner voice and express our unique rhythm in a fully engaged manner. Through individual and group drumming, we want participants to connect on a deeper level with their inner life force and embrace the interdependence of our global community.
“I just wanted to thank you again for the blessings you imparted today at our office. The joy in my heart lasted throughout the day and now into the evening as I write to you from home. I have benefited spiritually from the music of the drums all of my life. Your performance and storytelling was completely uplifting — so much so that I felt emotionally overwhelmed by the beauty of the music and the homage to our ancestors. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you. May you all be blessed many times over for all of the blessings you bring to others. ACHE!!
With love and gratitude,
“Queen” Rosemary Figueroa
US Department of Agriculture
“For many years, Kojo Bey taught drum lessons to our campers, all of whom are living with HIV/AIDS or sickle cell disease. The kids get to feel special, and find new confidence in the chance to come on stage to learn and play along with professionals.”
– Gaby Moss, Executive Director
Camp AmeriKids, Warwick, NY
Presenter Introduction
Kojo Bey has been performing and teaching African drumming as a healing art for 30 years. He has facilitated drum circles at Fortune 500 companies, such as ESPN, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, Bank of America, Verizon, and others. Kojo’s early “overstanding” of the healing of music led him to study with Master Teachers from around the world; He is the Co-founder of Sounds Of Afrika Drum and Dance Troupe and has played with Master Drummers such as his Father, Baba Abishai Ben Reuben, Yamoussa Camara, Kehinde O’Uhuru, Chief Bey, and Okyrema Pra. You will often hear Kojo sing out “Ashe”, which is Yoruba for “Power” or “So Be It”. He believes that the power in the drum is unleashed when the drummer’s heart is filled with love. You can find Kojo leading drum circles throughout the U.S. to support humanitarian efforts both domestically and abroad for the non-profit organization he founded 16 years ago. Kojo Bey is the Founder of Drums 4 Life and invites you to open your mind, body, and spirits and experience The Drum!
Ashe! Ashe! Ashe!
BIO
Kojo Bey is Co-founder of SOUNDS OF AFRIKA Drum and Dance Troupe and has been performing and teaching African drumming as a healing art for 30 years. He has facilitated drum circles at Fortune 500 companies and for students at the Primary, Secondary, and University levels. Kojo’s early “overstanding” about the healing of music led him to study with Master Teachers from around the world; eventually, earning him the title “Drum Doctor” from his drum-making and repair studies. He is a Spiritual Life Coach and has found much success using the drum as the pivotal tool for his clients. He presently conducts ongoing drum circles to support humanitarian efforts both domestically and abroad. Kojo is the Founder of Drums 4 Life and works closely with Music Therapists and Clinicians when drum therapy treatment plans include therapeutic and clinical assessments for clients.
