Interview with Matisou Légba

Interview with Matisou Légba, a well-known Haitian drummer who has been studying and playing the traditional Vodou rites and tempos for over 25 years. He first learned these rhythms as a dancer, and was drawn to the healing of the drums while he was doing research. Living with peasant teachers in the mountains of Haiti, he learned the 21 ceremonial rhythms and dances, as well as their ancestral meanings. As one of the master drummers from Haiti, Légba has been privileged to drum for Lakou Souvenance, Lakou Badjo, and Lakou Soukri, the three most sacred Vodou temples in Haiti. He has also performed professionally with such musical groups as Ayanbonmbe, Boukan Ginen, Samba Yo, Djam Lakay and his own band, Djanaye. Légba is best known for his work in the hit "Le a Rive," which was released in 1993 with Boukan Ginen, and his work in Ayabonmbe's hit musical video "Severin" in 2000.