Ausecuma Beats

Ausecuma Beats formed as a combination of musicians from Australia, the Senegambia region, Cuba, and Mali... And hence the name Ausecuma, combining the four names into one word.

As a result, Ausecuma Beats as a band stands for unity among diverse peoples, and it shows through their combined influences from Africa, Cuba, and Australia!

With three percussionists, Ausecuma Beats creates a complex rhythm that virtually forces your body to move! And with the highly talented lead singer, guitarist, and bass guitarist, the music is blended into something incredibly danceable yet unmistakably unique at the same time!

Yusupha Ngum is the lead singer of Ausecuma Beats. He is a superstar in his native Gambia, where he has had many hits in the complex rapidfire percussion style of West African "mbalax" music. He spent many years as the opening act in West Africa for African superstar Youssou N'dour. Yusupha's soaring and passionate voice grabs you by the heartstrings and moves you, just through its incredible sound (you have to hear it to believe it).

Boubacar Gaye is from Senegal in West Africa, where his magic with the djembe (African drum) led him to become a member of the famous percussion group Mama Afrika. Boubacar's career led to tours of Europe and a long career in Japan, and finally to Australia. Until you've heard Boubacar play, you would have never thought so many complex rhythms could come from a simple drum!

Rodolfo Hechavarria, known as "Panga", hails from Cuba, where he became a virtuoso with the congas. He joined the traditional Cuban music band Sonora La Calle, with whom he toured Europe, and shared the stage with some of Cuba's most famous musicians. In Australia, he combines his skill with the congas to contribute to the complex percussive rhythms of Ausecuma Beats!

Ed Crocker is a very successful drummer, having played with many successful bands, at many music festivals in Australia, and at the Glastonbury Festival in England. His incredible energy on the drum kit is astounding, and he has an uncanny ability to knock out very complex beats. Ed rounds out the incredible three-person percussion section of Ausecuma Beats!

Bassidi Koné comes from a Griot family in Mali, and achieved virtuosity on the balafon - an African wooden xylophone-like instrument. No matter what the genre, he infuses the music with the heritage of centuries of his family's musical tradition. Bassidi has won many prestigious national music awards in Mali.

Adam Halliwell has had a very successful career on the electric guitar, having worked in free jazz and with bands in both East African and West African musical styles. He's toured both Europe and Japan. Adam is known for his incredible skills at improvisation.

Troy Gennoe is known by some as the bass guitarist's bass guitarist, and is highly respected by those who have seen and heard him play. Troy has incredible skills in many styles outside of typical "Western" music, including African, Indian, and South American styles of music!