Rhythm Diplomacy

In 2012, U.S.-based nonprofit MIMA Music, Inc., an organization that uses music improvisation to enrich communities across the world, teamed up with percussion icon Leon Mobley for a 25-day music diplomacy tour across Southern Africa.

MIMA, the brainchild of MPD alumnus Christoph A. Geiseler, coordinated workshops and community engagement events sponsored by U.S. Embassies in Namibia, Malawi, Zambia, South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. 

During this tour, Mobley used the rhythms of his instrument of choice—the West African djembe—to create a platform for horizontal communication and non-hierarchical musical exchange. 

In commemoration of Nelson Mandela's 100th birthday this week, we are featuring a video from MIMA's Africa tour with Leon Mobley: Living Rhythms.

The original video can be found on MIMA's YouTube channel here.

More videos from the Africa tour can be found on MIMA's Living Rhythms website here.

MIMA Minute: Leon Mobley

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