Munyungo Jackson via Matrix

Munyungo Jackson I CURATE

Network Node

Name: Munyungo Jackson
City/Place: Los Angeles, California
Country: United States

CURATION

from this node by: Matrix

Life & Work

Bio: Percussionist, Composer, Arranger, Producer, Author and four time Grammy Winner Darryl Munyungo Jackson possesses an ever-increasing collection of instruments with which to execute his craft. That is one of the reasons this warm and unassuming West Coast artist can be found in virtually any musical setting—whether it’s Funk, Pop, Jazz, Latin, Reggae, or traditional dance music of such countries as Nigeria, Senegal, Ghana, Haiti, Brazil and Cuba.

Despite his youthful appearance, Munyungo is no newcomer: in his over thirty years of playing, he has developed an awesome versatility and became a well-respected and much requested session, concert and tour player. He has performed with Miles Davis, Stevie Wonder, Sting, Kenny Loggins, Herbie Hancock, Dianne Reeves, the Zawinul Syndicate, George Howard, Ronnie Laws, The Temptations, Four Tops, The Supremes, Bennie Maupin, Bill Summers, Marcus Miller, and dozens of others, including numerous ethnic music and dance troupes.

Munyungo was born in Los Angeles, California, into creative surroundings: his parents, Arthur Jackson Jr. and Genie Jackson, both maintained various involvements in music, dance and writing, and Munyungo is the nephew of the legendary jazz, pop and blues singer and pianist Nellie Lutcher who was on Capital Records.

As a child, Munyungo was required to take classical piano lessons, and did so until he was nineteen years old. But in his high school years, when one of his buddies started a Latin jazz band, seventeen-year-old Munyungo found himself uncontrollably attracted to the sound of the timbales, and his interest in piano began to fade. He began spending more and more time with the percussionist in that band, soon discovering that he was quite skillful at observing and remembering the techniques. His first opportunity he purchased his very own set of timbales.

During this period, Munyungo’s father was program director of a jazz radio station. The benefit to Munyungo was the constant exposure to much music. He happily surrounded himself with the albums of the many Latin artists of the day such as Mongo Santamaria, Willie Bobo, and Tito Puente, and practiced by playing his timbales along with these albums. Soon, his system of observation-plus-practice proved to be an effective method of self-training, and it wasn’t long before he formed a Latin jazz band with his classmates.

Munyungo’s passion for the timbales was only the beginning. From that point, he made the natural progression to Congas, Bongos, Latin Percussion and beyond, eventually to religious Bata Drumming, and numerous drums and percussion from many different cultures.

Subsequently, he met and worked with traditional drummers from Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, China and Japan resulting in a collection of over four hundred percussion instruments and drums from all over the world — all of which he plays proficiently.

Why that name? On several occasions, he performed with some players from Africa and the Caribbean, who would shout “Munyungo!” (Which is a Zulu word meaning “door” or “entrance”) to cheer him on as he played — and it wasn’t long before the word attached to him as a nickname.

Now, for him, the name means “Gateway to Heaven.”

Munyungo is deeply committed to understanding — and keeping alive — the tradition surrounding the instruments he plays. “It’s hard to study drums without studying the cultures from which they come,” he points out. This respectfulness seasons his playing with hearty passion and enjoyment.

“Drummer” is the term Munyungo uses to describe himself and his art. “Traditional percussion instruments were invented for the purpose of communication with nature and spirits as well as with other humans and someone who uses these instruments to invoke the forces of nature to act is traditionally called a ‘drummer’. This is why those of us who perform, know and study traditional music, don’t call each other ‘percussionist’; we call each other ‘drummers’.”

He is not unmindful, however, of the wealth of new technology available to the contemporary musician, and is equally committed to experimenting with it. Munyungo’s “electronic arsenal” of samplers, digital drums, drum machines and computers coexist comfortably with his traditional instruments and he finds them invaluable for composing original music, as well as for use within the various studio and movie soundtrack projects he undertakes.

In addition to his concert, tour and recording work, Munyungo is currently on the staff of the Watts Towers Arts Center in Los Angeles, where he helps to present an annual fall Drum Festival that brings together master drummers from all over the world to present their expertise. At past festivals, Babatunde Olatunji, Philly Joe Jones and Papa Joe Jones have been among the performers.

Munyungo has also lead his own band, Jungle Book, in presenting traditional performances, which often include dancers. In addition, he conducts local drum clinics in which he teaches the rudiments of ethnic percussion to aspiring professionals of all ages and levels. Watch, too, for his occasional appearances in television or film productions displaying his musical talents with or as a guest artist.

Munyungo knows where he’s going because he knows where he’s been. One of the best African American percussionists ever, and along with his partner Bill Summers are two of the best exponents of multiple and varied percussion arts. Two players who have been inspirational to other percussionists worldwide from Australia to Zimbabwe.

Contact Information

Email: [email protected]
Management/Booking: Media Contact
Craig Neely
Promotions and Marketing
415-240-6344
[email protected]

Media | Markets

▶ Buy My Music: (downloads/CDs/DVDs) http://munyungo.com/shop
▶ Buy My Music 2: (downloads/CDs/DVDs) http://store.cdbaby.com/Artist/MunyungoJackson
▶ Twitter: OnlyOneMunyungo
▶ Instagram: munyungojackson
▶ Website: http://munyungo.com
▶ YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCf8cTqhTTr1_wvZNb4Wcoug
▶ YouTube Music: http://music.youtube.com/channel/UCsckveSzt8ObchIayWZBAwA
▶ Spotify: http://open.spotify.com/album/4liqrLL6AtNnesxo0OKlrG
▶ Spotify 2: http://open.spotify.com/album/10HWl295xQlg3gHOd0eXuc
▶ Spotify 3: http://open.spotify.com/album/5I64LlelT0fdm88KplKa3Z

Clips (more may be added)

Muyungo Jackson - Nica's Dream
By Munyungo Jackson

344 views
Munyungo Jackson - Blue Monk
By Munyungo Jackson

320 views
Munyungo Jackson "Heating The Sking"
By Munyungo Jackson

341 views

Munyungo Jackson Curated

What's Been Happening?

Airto Moreira → Cantor, Singer has been recommended via Munyungo Jackson.
- February 24, 2020
Airto Moreira → Percussão, Percussion has been recommended via Munyungo Jackson.
- February 24, 2020
Airto Moreira → Jazz has been recommended via Munyungo Jackson.
- February 24, 2020
Airto Moreira → Compositor, Composer has been recommended via Munyungo Jackson.
- February 24, 2020
Airto Moreira → Brasil, Brazil has been recommended via Munyungo Jackson.
- February 24, 2020
A category was added to Munyungo Jackson:

Author
- February 24, 2020
A category was added to Munyungo Jackson:

Composer
- February 24, 2020
A video was posted re Munyungo Jackson:

Muyungo Jackson - Nica's Dream
Muyungo Jackson performs in the LP Studio. Muyungo Jackson ∙ Percussion Dennis Guevara ∙ Keyboard Daymar Calvario Guerra ∙ Bass LP1424
- February 24, 2020
A video was posted re Munyungo Jackson:

Munyungo Jackson - Blue Monk
Muyungo Jackson performs in the LP Studio. Muyungo Jackson ∙ Percussion Dennis Guevara ∙ Keyboard Daymar Calvario Guerra ∙ Bass LP441ETSS
- February 24, 2020
A video was posted re Munyungo Jackson:

Munyungo Jackson "Heating The Sking"
This is Daryl "Munyungo" Jackson while heating the skins before the show at the jazz channel with Dianne Reeves back in 2000.
- February 24, 2020
A category was added to Munyungo Jackson:

Multi-Cultural
- February 24, 2020
A category was added to Munyungo Jackson:

Los Angeles
- February 24, 2020
A category was added to Munyungo Jackson:

Percussion
- February 24, 2020
Munyungo Jackson is matrixed!
- February 24, 2020

em português →

ARE YOU MATRIXED?

"Many thanks for this – I am touched!"
✅—Julian Lloyd Webber
We're touched too Mr Webber! (cello & Brazilian music fan)

"Matrixado!"
✅—Founding Member Darius Mans (economist, PhD, Massachusetts Institute of Technology); president-elect of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva

"I'm truly thankful ... Sohlangana ngokuzayo :)"
✅—Nduduzo Makhathini (piano, Blue Note recording artist)

"Thanks, this is a brilliant idea!!"
✅—Alicia Svigals (klezmer fiddle; founder of The Klezmatics)

"This is super impressive work ! Congratulations ! Thanks for including me :)))"
✅—Clarice Assad (composer & piano; compositions recorded by Yo Yo Ma and played by orchestras around the world)

This is a matrix in the original sense of "source" ("matrix" derives from "mater", Latin for "mother"). The platform was built in Bahia, Brazil in order to provide a means by which Bahian artists could be reached from around the world. But there's a beautiful catch: To work for these people the platform must work for ALL in the global creative economy. The matrix must engender an INTEGRATED GLOBAL CREATIVE ECONOMY.
How a) Inside this matrix you have a node (a page) — a calling card to the universe — from which you can curate (recommend) other people in the network, and by which they can recommend you.
How b) In mathematics there is something called "the small world phenomenon". Human society is "small world" (which is how most of the 8 billion of us of are within some 6 or so steps of each other). Neurons in the human brain are "small world". The internet is "small world".
How c) This matrix is "small world". Nodes tend to be a small number of steps apart. You can potentially step from any node to any other. You can get to João do Boi from Quincy Jones in 4 steps. And from Quincy Jones to you.
Participation is free to people. Businesses outside of Bahia, Brazil will be levied a nominal fee.
Artificial intelligence not necessary. Real intelligence, yes. The matrix is a real mother for ya! Odoyá!

"Thank you"
(Banch Abegaze, mgr)
✅—Kamasi Washington

← in english

VOCÊ ESTÁ NO MATRIX?

"Muito obrigado por isso - estou tocado!"
✅—Julian Lloyd Webber
Estamos tocados também Sr. Webber! (violoncelo & fã da música brasileira)

"Matrixado!"
✅—Membro Fundador Darius Mans (economista, doutorado, Massachusetts Institute of Technology); presidente eleito do Brasil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva

"Estou realmente agradecido... Sohlangana ngokuzayo :)"
✅—Nduduzo Makhathini (piano, artista da Blue Note)

"Obrigada, esta é uma ideia brilhante!!"
✅—Alicia Svigals (violino klezmer; fundadora da The Klezmatics)

"Este é um trabalho super impressionante! Parabéns! Obrigada por me incluir :)))"
✅—Clarice Assad (compositora & piano; composições gravadas por Yo Yo Ma e tocadas por orquestras ao redor do mundo)

Este é uma matrix no sentido original de "fonte" ("matrix" deriva de "mater", latim para "mãe"). A plataforma foi construída na Bahia, Brasil, a fim de fornecer um meio pelo qual artistas baianos pudessem ser alcançados de ao redor do mundo. Mas existe um porém lindo: Para funcionar para essas pessoas a plataforma deve funcionar para TODOS na economia criativa global. O matrix deve gerar uma ECONOMIA CRIATIVA GLOBAL INTEGRADA.
Como a) O matrix é uma rede de pessoas/entidades na economia criativa global. Você tem um nó (uma página) — um cartão de visita para o universo numa lista de informações do século 21 que circula o mundo — de onde pode selecionar (recomendar) outras pessoas na rede, e elas podem recomendar você.
Como b) Na matemática existe algo chamado "o fenômeno do mundo pequeno". A sociedade humana é um "mundo pequeno" (que é como a maioria dos 8 bilhões de nós estão dentro de mais ou menos 6 passos de um ao outro). Os neurônios no cérebro humano são um "mundo pequeno". A internet é um "mundo pequeno".
Como c) Este matrix é "pequeno mundo". Os nós tendem a estar separados por um pequeno número de etapas. Você pode potencialmente passar de qualquer nó para qualquer outro. Você pode chegar ao João do Boi de Quincy Jones em 4 etapas. E de Quincy Jones a você.
A participação é gratuita para pessoas. As empresas fora da Bahia, Brasil serão cobradas uma taxa nominal.
Inteligência artificial não necessária. Inteligência real, sim. O matrix é uma verdadeira mãe! Odoyá!

"Thank you"
(Banch Abegaze, empresário)
✅—Kamasi Washington

FAQ

Q: Why an Aleph on matrix node headers?
A: One of several inspirations for the matrix was the Aleph in Jorge Luis Borges' story of that name, itself certainly inspired in the Kabbalah.