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Azania Drum

@azaniadrum

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Mentoring the youth by building discipline, leadership, and teamwork through the lens of West African music and culture

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Dear Mama Ann,

A few of your students here. Just wanting to write you a little letter to say Hi 😬, we miss you 😘, and also wish you a HAPPY WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH 👑! As we’re closing out women’s history month, we’re taking a moment to celebrate you and also say thank you!

For those of you that didn’t get a chance to meet our beloved Mama Ann, she was a pillar within the Chicago arts and education community. She wore many hats as she was the co-founder of Azania Drum, music educator of Betty Shabazz International Charter School, as well as an integral member of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM).

Mama Ann E. Ward was a Chicago Girl who grew up in the Englewood neighborhood who studied music from a very young age. She attended the Chicago School of Musical College of Roosevelt University studying piano, and graduated from Kentucky State University with a degree in music composition. After she graduated, she performed and toured with the “Ken Chaney Experience” from 1973-1976 as a vocalist, pianist, and composer.

In 1981, she joined the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM). She eventually became an integral part of the organization and served as the director of the AACM school from 1983 to 2008 and remained a member until her passing.

During Mama Ann’s career as a musician, she also managed to leave a lasting legacy as an educator. She very much believed that the youth of today will be the leaders of tomorrow. Her approach to education focused on self-expression and the importance of African + African American cultural traditions. Her way of teaching music allowed for open-mindedness, creativity, and exploration.

A peer of Mama Ann mentioned that, “She was a strong supporter in helping women amplify their voices. Ann was one of the strong pillars of the AACM. She had a great, wise encompassing influence on the black community through her music and teaching. She was always about teaching the children, not just about music, but life.”

Mama Ann! We miss you dearly. We love you strong and we will continue to keep your legacy alive and vibrant. Our hope is that we are making you proud.

#MamaAnnForever 💐 by @azaniadrum

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4 years ago

We are wishing a HAPPY HEAVENLY BIRTHDAY to our Baba, Meshach Silas 🥳

A native of Louisville, Mississippi Baba Meshach was one of Chicago’s busiest musicians. He was a co-founder of Minianka Drum and Dance Ensemble and Azania Drum, as well as a founding member and stage director of @funkadesi .

Baba Meshach was a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, teacher, arranger, composer and session musician with SPIRITS Masquerade & Drum Society, the Art Ensemble of Chicago, @muntudance, 911 Reggae, Katalyst, and Keith Eric & Waterhouse.

Baba was a big advocate of using African culture and art to empower and inspire his community. He left a significant impact here in the city on the individuals he worked with like us that has helped develop a sense of pride in our cultural understanding, appreciation, and identity.

A close friend of Baba Meshach once said, “He had a remarkable openness to people who regardless of race or background, are truly interested in progress for all people.”

We are deeply grateful for the legacy he’s left and we love him strong 🖤 by @azaniadrum

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4 years ago

Through patience and hard work we are finally ready to show you all who we are!

“TIA” an Azania EP will be released Fri, October 22nd (SAVE THAT DATE) !

We are super excited and have plenty of things to share until then. Thank you all for the patience and support we can't wait to share.

We come in peace 🖤

#azaniadrum #Azania #Azaniakids #az #westafricanmusic #westafricandance #westafricandanceclass #djembe #youtharts #chicagoyouth #chicagoyouthdance #djembechallenge #djembefola #djembelove #djembelife #drummingfromthesoul #drumchallenge #bettyshabazz #wecomeinpeace #EP #TIA by @azaniadrum

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5 years ago

Next month, it’ll be 5 years since our EP, “TIA” (therefore I am). We’re returning to this creative work with TIA II: “THE WHITE TAPE.”

The White Tape is the first presented version of this new chapter of ours. At its center is the cassette tape, a vessel for this first version, where red turns to white: one side in the spirit of the warrior, the other in deep reverence 🕯️.

The 8 red marks interrupt the white field, a quiet reference to Obatala and one of the spiritual threads shaping this first version of TIA II.

We invite you to enter the work
with us this Thursday at Africa Out West with @musicmoveschi and @oldtownschool:

Oct 1, 2026 • 7PM
Kehrein Center for the Arts
5628 W Washington BLVD

We Come In Peace 🤍 by @azaniadrum

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19 days ago

In less than a week, Africa Out West is HERE in Chicago !!! Thursday, October 1 we present our third Africa Out West in partnership with Kehrein Center for the Arts along with the Department of Culture Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) and World Music Festival Chicago. 🌍🎶✨

This FREE concert experience will feature New York-based Asase Yaa African American Dance Theatre with Chicago’s own Deeply Rooted Dance Theatre, Azania Drum, and DJ Finding Ijeoma!

The Bessie Award-winning Asase Yaa African American Dance Theater is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a national tour! We’re honored to host them at Africa Out West where you’ll get to witness performances from their production, The Revival: Djembe in the New Millennium!

For more about Asase Yaa and the rest of the performers visit ots.fm/aow2026 linked in bio ✨

Africa Out West is FREE and open to the public. Link in bio to RSVP 🖇️ Tag someone you want to bring in the comments!

Join us for a pre-performance reception with complimentary food and libation at 6:00 PM, followed by the show at 7:00 PM!

🖼️ @blackmonumentensemble

📍 Kehrein Center for the Arts | 5628 W Washington Blvd | Chicago, IL 60644
📅 Thursday, October 1
🤑 FREE
⏰ 6:00 PM Reception + Vendors 🍽️🥤
⏰ 7:00 PM Showtime! 🎶

@asaseyaa @deeplyrooteddance @azaniadrum @findingijeoma

#musicmoveschi #oldtownschooloffolkmusic #oldtownschool #worldmusicfestivalchicago
#dcase taken in West Side, Chicago by @azaniadrum

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23 days ago

We’re back for year 3!!! Join us Thursday, October 1 as we present our third Africa Out West in partnership with Kehrein Center for the Arts. This year, we’re proud to collaborate with the Department of Culture Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) and World Music Festival Chicago. 🌍🎶✨

This FREE concert experience will feature New York-based Asase Yaa African American Dance Theatre with Chicago’s own Deeply Rooted Dance Theatre, Azania Drum, and DJ Finding Ijeoma!

Africa Out West is committed to honoring Chicago’s rich legacy of West African and African diasporic culture. The annual celebration brings together artists across generations, cities, and styles, reflecting the many ways African and African diasporic culture has taken root, evolved, and continues to thrive.✨

As always, this event is FREE and open to the public. Link in bio to RSVP 🖇️ Tag someone you want to bring in the comments!

Join us for a pre-performance reception with complimentary food and libation at 6:00 PM, followed by the show at 7:00 PM!

PS: We’re looking for vendors! Apply in the bio or send us an email musicmoves@oldtownschool.org.

🖼️ @blackmonumentensemble

@asaseyaa @deeplyrooteddance @azaniadrum @findingijeoma in concert!!
📍 Kehrein Center for the Arts | 5628 W Washington Blvd | Chicago, IL 60644
📅 Thursday, October 1
🤑 FREE
⏰ 6:00 PM Reception + Vendors 🍽️🥤
⏰ 7:00 PM Showtime! 🎶

#musicmoveschi #oldtownschooloffolkmusic #oldtownschool #worldmusicfestivalchicago
#dcase by @azaniadrum

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2 months ago

Less than a week until the first iteration of Cuatro Mujeres: A Diasporic Exploration of Nina Simone’s Four Women! Cuatro Mujeres is a four part Night Out in the Parks series presented in partnership with the Chicago Park District.

Next Thursday, August 20 at 6:30 PM we have the honor of witnessing an exploration of Aunt Sarah and Yemayá featuring music by Azania Drum and Soul Resonance with choreography by Zenzile Fatou at Hamilton Park 513 W 72nd St in Chicago.

Feel free to begin gathering at 6:00 pm with your blankets, chairs, snacks and family. The show will begin at 6:30 PM. ✨

All the concerts are FREE and OPEN to the public. The whole family is welcome!

For full details visit ots.fm/NOITP 🖇️ in bio!

🗓️Thursday, August 20, 2026
⏱️Gather at 6:00 PM | Show at 6:30 PM
📍Hamilton Park | 513 W 72nd St, Chicago, IL 60621

Make sure you see the other three performances!

🗓️Tuesday, August 25 at 6:30 PM
Saffronia featuring D-Composed and Frog Belly Society with choreography by Edson Cabrera
📍Humboldt Park Boathouse | 1301 N Humboldt Dr, Chicago, IL 60622

🗓️Thursday, September 3 at 6:30 PM
Sweet Thing featuring Damon Locks and Ben LaMar Gay with choreography by Keyierra Collins
📍South Shore Cultural Center | 7059 S South Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60649

🗓️Tuesday, September 8 at 6:30 PM
Peaches featuring Angel Bat Dawid and Fred Jackson Jr. with choreography by Ayesha Jaco
📍Austin Town Hall | 5610 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60644

🖼️ @oguguam
📸 @lawrenceagyei

#InTheParks, #NightOutintheParks #MyChiParks #ChicagoParks #musicmoveschi by @azaniadrum

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2 months ago

Queen Mother!
Mama Ann Forever 💜🤍

We’ll have tees available at the MCA today! by @azaniadrum

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4 months ago

AZANIA DRUM LIVE AT THE @mcachicago, THIS SATURDAY JUNE 20, 2:30PM !

We’re grateful to be part of this year’s “21MINUS LIVE” hosted by @tcaatmca. During this one day festival, we’ll be presenting, Queen Mother: Asase Ye Duru (Purple Offering 💜).

we’ll be hitting the stage at 2:30pm
see you there 💜

MAMA ANN FOREVER 🕯️ taken in Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago by @azaniadrum

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4 months ago

WE ARE SENDING LOVE TO YOU MAMA ANN ON YOUR BIRTHDAY THIS SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2026 🤍🎈.

JOIN US FOR A 10 YEAR CELEBRATION TO HONOR OUR QUEEN MOTHER 🤍 taken in Betty Shabazz International Charter Schools by @azaniadrum

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4 months ago

We at @tcaatmca are beyond excited to be hosting one of our larger ensembles for 6/20’s “21 MINUS LIVE” — @azaniadrum presenting Queen Mother: Asase Ye Duru!

In this one-day FREE festival at the @mcachicago Azania Drum will be performing in our theater, the largest stage of the festival. From 1-6pm a full cast of young artists from around Chicagoland will be exhibiting and performing throughout the museum — don’t miss it! <3
🏙️🌅🏙️
STAY TUNED FOR FURTHER LINEUP DETAILS.
FLYER DESIGN BY @tigernation4l taken in Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago by @azaniadrum

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5 months ago

MAMA ANN FOREVER 🤍

As we mark the 10th year of our dear Mama Ann Ward’s transition into ancestorhood, we come in peace and with an offering called, “Queen Mother: Asase Ye Duru.”

We invite the community out for an intimate evening of music and memory inside the legendary classroom of Mama Ann at Betty Shabazz Academy where many of us grew up.

On what would’ve been Mama Ann’s 77th birthday, the evening will feature live performances by students of Mama Ann such as @amynalove , @lepatron4 , Azania Drum Core, and our young musicians of AZ Academy, many whom may have not had the opportunity to meet her personally, yet continue to carry her spirit and teachings forward through Azania Drum.

Join us for an evening of big love and big peace as we honor the life, legacy, and everlasting presence of Mama Ann and strive keep her memory alive and well ✨🕯️✨

📆: Saturday, June 6th
⏰: 6:30pm - 9:00pm
📍: Betty Shabazz Academy • 7823 S Ellis
🎫: we only ask you to come with love 🤍

Link in bio to RSVP*

We Come in Peace,
Azania Drum by @azaniadrum

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5 months ago