Thomas Altmann

Batá

• has played batá drums since 1988
• studied with Ralf Moufang, Ottmar Köhler, Milian Galí Rivery, Félix Navarro, Francisco Hernández Mora (Pancho Quinto), Angel Bolaños Corrales, Javier Piña Márquez, Daniel Carbonell Constantin, Reimundo Sosa Reinoldes, Andreas Molino, and Cristobal Larrinaga; largely self-taught
• plays nearly the complete Havana style repertoire on each of the three drums (okónkolo, itótele, and iyá)
• initiated as omoañá in July 2005 on the tambor "Aña Ara Lovo Ore" (Adofó, 1896) in Regla /La Habana, ceremonial experience on the okónkolo. Since 2007 olorisha, omo-Obatala.
• former musical director of the group Ayé Ilú in Hamburg (1994-2005)
• author of the book Cantos Lucumí a los Orichas (oché books, 1998)

 Alaro (Rezo a Yemayá), Grupo Ayé Ilú live at the Casa de Cuba, Hamburg, October 2004; lead voc.: Petra Leitzke; Thomas Altmann (iyá), Kai Voigtländer (itótele), Michael Dröse (okónkolo).

Articles:

  My Fardela Recipe
  The Giraldo Rodriguez Record

Photos:

  SONOC Batá Set
  Traditionally Strung Okónkolo
  Chekeres
  Traditionally Strung Batá-Set