← Back to African Entertainers

Baba Ayinde

Charlotte, NC

$200 and up

African Entertainment

Travels up to 3 hours

Get a free quick quote

Promotional video thumbnail 1 for Baba Ayinde

MW wedding - August 14, 2021

Promotional video thumbnail 2 for Baba Ayinde

Expand Movement, formerly Inspire Inclusion

Ayinde the drum maker with Charlotte African Drum and Dance Collective

Atlanta private gig

Archive information

Baba Ayinde

Baba Ayinde at assisted living facility

Artisan crafted djembe drum made by Baba Ayinde

2 Videos 10 Photos

Overview

I'm honored to have been taught the art of drum making by the original drum masters f the first generation of African drummers in North America, Mr. Kolowole Balogun (Master drummer of the Chuck Davis Dance Company, original lead drummer of the now world famous dance company). I manufacture djembe drums in my drum shop in located at C3 Lab in south Charlotte.

As an African drummer as well as a instructor in traditional African drum rhythms. I'm available for events, workshops, and celebrations and festivals. I provide drumming to accompany dancers, announce speakers, birthday processionals, weddings, entertainment for meetings, and drumming during international festivals.

Reviews

9 reviews

Madison C.

May 12, 2025

Verified review

A Beautiful Performance!

Baba Ayinde was such an incredibly beautiful energy and soul and we were lucky to have him for our Nursing Home Week. He showed up at a respectful time to get a feel for the area he was performing in. He was attentive, flexible, and caring for our residents. They truly enjoyed the entire performance and I know that they will be talking about it for the rest of their lives... and that's how you know you did some really great work! Thank you so much for providing your many talents!!

Hired as: African Entertainment, World Music

Baba Ayinde

It was a joy to be there at your nursing home. The residents treated us very well. I am glad they enjoyed us as much as we enjoyed being there with them.

Dee H.

April 18, 2025

Verified review

Absolutely awesome

Awesome djembe drumming. Highly recommend for your event.

Hired as: African Entertainment

Baba Ayinde

Thank you very much for your review. We appreciate you using our talent for your event.

Tanya D.

March 6, 2025

Verified review

Absolutely Wonderful

I hired Baba Ayinde for my 50th birthday party and he and his crew provided three dances to our surprise, live drumming and music. Beyond our expectations!

Hired as: African Entertainment, World Music

Baba Ayinde

We had too much fun at your party! This was a lovely event at a beautiful location. We are more than pleased you were satisfied with our entertainment for extra special day.

Karita B.

July 25, 2023

Awesome performance

Awesome performance for our African themed family reunion banquet. Family can't stop talking about this performance. We really enjoyed the experience. This was a talented group. This performance was the highlight of the evening.

Thank you so much!

Hired as: African Entertainment

Karita B.

July 16, 2023

Verified review

Awesome Performance

We hired Baba for your 2023 family reunion to enhance our African theme banquet night.

Everyone enjoyed the performance.

Thank you Baba and performers for giving out family a memorable experience.

Hired as: African Entertainment

Baba Ayinde

We had a wonderful time at your family reunion. Beautiful people at a lovely event.

Write a review

Booking information

Price range: $200 and up

Languages: English, Yoruba

What to expect

You should expect to see a seasoned experienced drummer perform smoothly and joyfully.
If I choose to perform at your event, you can expect an engaging performance. I will be in costume and prepared for what we agreed to do. I am flexible to change and adaptable so that I will make your event run as a success.

About

Artist Statement
I have been making African drums for the past 45+ years. I have been honored by being taught the art of drum making by the original drum masters of the first generation of African drummers in North America, Mr. Kolowole Balogun (Master drummer of the Chuck Davis Dance Company (now located in Durham, NC) original lead drummer of the now world renowned dance company).

The drum is the most primordial instrument known to man. It is fundamentally a part of the very beginning of the art of music making. The African drum, of course, is one of the oldest known drumming art forms. The drum known as Djembe is now the hand drum of choice. The Ashiko is lesser known drum type (of Congolese origin) but it is now becoming more and more common and selected as a drum form. The past years I produced ashiko drums, slit drums, and tongue drums in my maker space . Last year, I added the production of djembe drums in my maker space which was a major move forward for my drum manufacturing company. This year, I added regular drum students to my activities. This has served to enhance my presence in the local dance community as I develop my shop and my students. I look forward to continuing to design and develop my expertise here in my C3 Lab maker space. I value the opportunity to design and produce beautiful African drums as a member of this artist community.

Freddie works with the Charlotte Ballet Community Engagement program during the school year. This program extends to local public school students that are interested in ballet, modern and African dance. Classes taught by Charlotte Ballet professional dance teachers are conducted in local recreation centers near the community the students live in. Freddie Rivera is the drummer for the African dance classes for this community program.

Freddie Rivera is a member of Movement Migration owned by Professor Kim Jones, University of NC at Charlotte, Dance Department. He is the drummer for a senior health program offered at a Huntersville community center on Tuesday and Friday mornings. Therapeutic program is enhanced with drumming which enhances the service being offered to these local seniors.

In addition, Freddie Rivera is a part of Charlotte Culture Blocks. He the drummer for Tyvola Seniors Monday senior dance class. This is an ongoing program to enhance the quality of life of local seniors that utilize the Tyvola Senior Center in Charlotte NC

Additional booking notes

My performance will be best if certain basics are included.
* bottled water
My work is physical. Access to water to rehydrate after the performance is a simple way to make my experience better.
* dressing area, either a room or a bathroom to freshen up, change costumes, prepare or rehearse, store drum for safety and security
an example is a previous gig where there was no area for dressing or just sitting. I waited in a stairwell which was hot and humid (this was in the August heat) It was raining and there was no air conditioning in the area where I waited. My main drum reacted to the heat and humidity and ripped right in front of me. The skin of the drum is goat and reacts to change in temperature and high humidity. The drum popped like a toy gun off and the top of it ripped open just before the performance started. I was able to adapt on the spot to cover the drum with an available towel and play during the performance. It was okay, but my main drum was out of commission until I replaced the torn drum head.

* a complementary plate of the available menu is always appreciated. It's just a nice courtesy to enjoy!

* a clean comfortable chair in a area with a little space to play that allows for elbow room.
In a crowded room, I need space to play freely on the drum. People standing around me or over me makes the experience no so good for me if I am crowded. Also, those enjoying the drum don't see me or hear me if people crowd around. It does affect my playing and the audience's view.

Services offered

African Entertainment World Music

Upcoming booked events

11:00am - 12:00pm

30

Wednesday

Friday

Senior Dance

9:00am - 10:00am

30

Friday

29

Tuesday

Arts and Science Culture Block

11:00am - 12:00pm

30

Wednesday

UMAR

10:00am - 12:00pm

Past booked events

22

Saturday

Gretna VA rain out reschedule

All-day event

15

Saturday

Sunday

Religious Celebration

11:30am - 12:30pm

•

Charlotte, NC

October 2021

01

Friday

Festival

6:00pm - 6:15pm

•

Greensboro, NC

Setup requirements

clean comfortable chair

Get a free quote

Check out these featured profiles

Featured

Endless Entertainment

4.94 (22)

Top Performer

24 Verified bookings

Atlanta, GA
Dance Troupe
226 miles from
$500 and up

Darlene H. said “Endless entertainment did a great job performing at the wedding! ”

Fast free quote

Featured

Sanya Ismail - Aerialist

5.0 (27)

Top Performer

121 Verified bookings

Atlanta, GA
Aerialist
226 miles from
Contact for rates

Amber C. said “Sanya was so easy to work with. Very flexible and accommodating! She is stunning and wore the most beautiful outfit for her silks performance. I hope to work with her again soon!! ”

Fast free quote

Featured

Reptile Adventures

5.0 (40)

65 Verified bookings

Laurelville, OH
Reptile Show
311 miles from
Contact for rates

Mackenzie B. said “Would definitely recommend them and their services. ”

Fast free quote

Featured

HeartFelt Entertainment, Inc. (Carlene Mitchell)

5.0 (1)

1 Verified booking

Winter Park, FL
African Entertainment
459 miles from
Contact for rates

Chris A. said “I have witnessed Carlene perform on several occasions and she is wonderful as Whitney Houston AND Diana Ross!!! Her singing voice and poise on stage is the best you will find!!! Her costumes are... ”

Fast free quote