What I’m Doing Now | Dave Kobrenski

Last updated: July 25, 2024 from North Conway, NH

Here’s what I’ve been up to the past few months.

Performances

This has been a busy summer with concerts, with a variety of different projects. Amongst other things, every first Friday of the month, I’ve been performing with the KR Collective, which is a project with acclaimed guitarist Randy Roos and a rotating cast of all-star musicians, like Mike Rossi (bass), Steve Hunt (piano), Tim Gilmore (drums) and others.

In addition, I recently opened up for world-renowned kora player Madou Sidiki Diabaté. What a show! I’ll also be doing a couple of shows with master djembéfola Sayon Camara later this month. More events on the calendar here.

South of France

For the past couple weeks, we’ve been traveling in the south of France, practicing our French, and exploring the region. In addition to celebrating my fiftieth birthday here, it’s been a great opportunity to get some much-needed perspective on the world from a different cultural viewpoint. Un vrai dépaysement, as they say in French.

Famoudou Konaté’s book

Since August, 2023, I’ve been working with master djembéfola Famoudou Konaté and Thomas Ott on translating and editing Famoudou’s memoir, which is currently available in German and French editions.

We’re in the final stage of formatting now.

For updates on when the English version will be available, sign up on the email list.

Thirty new flutes

This September, I’ll be teaching Fula flute classes at the 24th Annual Wula Drum and Dance Retreat and I’ll need lots of flutes. So I’m in the workshop almost daily making progress on about thirty new flutes.

For more information (or to get your own flute), visit Kassa Flute Co.

New book: The Mande Flute

For the past year, I’ve been transcribing and recording all the songs I learned from Lanciné Conde in West Africa during my 15-year apprenticeship. I’m compiling them into a book (with CD) along with historical information and music notation.

This has been tons of work, but one of the most rewarding projects I’ve worked on in a long time. I anticipate that completing the book will take me many more months. Shooting for 2025 release.

Teaching West African drumming

After many years, I’m finally back to teaching West African drumming classes. I love sharing what I’ve learned during my years living and traveling in West Africa. I’m planning some new class sessions for this Fall 2024. See here for more information.