Vèlèkètè African Ancestral Percussion ft. solo percussionist Francesca Abbey-Vorleamesi
Solo Performance
Vèlèkètè Ancestral Percussion Founder- Percussion soloist Francesca Abbey-Vorleamesi
Vèlèkètè Performance Attire
From Within to the Outside
Where it All Began - Prospect Park, Brooklyn, NY 1985
Dance a Little, Too!
Painting of a Drummer- "Spirit Drummer"
Vèlèkètè Wedding Performance
WEDDING gig Photo Opp.
Vèlèkètè Ancestral Percussion is a premier solo female percussionist whose career spans over five decades of mastery.
She is a foundational force in the African percussion community, having shared the stage with legendary companies including Forces of Nature, Papa Ladji Camara & Les Ballet African, and Olatunji & Drums of Passion.
With a stage presence defined by vibrant energy, she specializes in raising the collective vibration of any venue.
Her work is designed to transform a standard event into a dynamic, multidimensional experience.
When you hire Vèlèkètè, you are not just booking a percussionist—you are inviting a fifty-year legacy of spiritual power and rhythmic excellence.
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Write a reviewPrice range: $300.00 - $450.00 per musician
Languages: English
Gig length: 30 - 120 minutes
Vélékété African Ancestral Percussions' audience can expect Francesca Abbey-Vorleamesi, as a solo artist, to deliver on her percussion instrument, a music genre of innnovative and creative cultural African percussion entertainment as well as traditional West African percussion, folk and spiritual music.
Every show opens with a brief drum-call to call attention to the audience and our ancestors, and an "opening of the way" instrumental salute to the "messenger" and influential ancestral entities.
The next segment of the repertoire, depending upon the clients' request and the type of audience, can consist of either of the following repertoires:
• a cultural lecture demonstration
• a solo musical performance
• audience participation
• or a high-intensity demonstration of percussion mastery.
The grand finalè consists of "closing of the way", closing out the performance with a "cool down" selection.
Vélékété African Ancestral Percussion (formerly known as: "Alkebu-Lan Experience Ensemble", originally formed in 1989 in New York City) was newly formed in 2012 in Worcester, MA by founder, Artistic Director and percussion soloist Francesca Abbey (Formerly known as "Queen Yeboa").
Born of Beninese, Camaroonean, Congolese, Jamaican and Cuban ancestry, Francesca has always been naturally drawn to her African roots.
Francesca first visited Ghana in 1988.
More recently, in October, 2020, she repatriated to Ghana, west Africa where she established residency, was living and studying traditional Ghanaian drumming for 3 years and 3 months. It is also where she met and married her husband, choreographer and percussionist Bright Kwaku Vorleamesi, who will soon join her in the US to continue their artistic work.
Together, Bright and Francesca formed a divine artistic union, created extraordinary theatrical pieces and regularly practiced their craft.
Ms. Abbey-Vorleamesi returned to the US from Ghana in January, 2024 to re-establish her companys' artistic presence and bring a refreshing new cultural repertoire to her audience.
Francesca Abbey-Vorleamesi has over 50 years' experience as a professional band leader and has performed with artists such as Babtunde Olatunji's Drums of Passion, Forces of Nature Dance Company, Papa Ladji Camara's Les Ballets Africains and Sabar Ak Ru Afrique to name a few. Ms. Abbey-Vorleamesi is proficient in several West African percussion instruments such as Djembe, Djun-djun, Songba, Shekere, Congas, Konka and more.
Vélékété African Ancestral Percussions' soloist Francesca Abbey-Vorleamesi takes her audience on a journey through the African diaspora through an innovative improvisational fusion of traditional West African, Afro-beat, and reggae music, colorful costumes and dramatic performance.
Vélékété African Ancestral Percussion is available for spiritual gatherings and celebrations such as: traditional west African spiritual rites, weddings, out-dooring and naming ceremonies, home-going ceremonies, inviting and welcoming ancestors to join in the events.
Any technical information about our performance or services such as (lighting, staging, important rider info, etc) will be negotiated during contact and adjusted according to the event planners budget, venue size and instrumentation desired.
Velekete's set list begins in early pre-colonial Africa with traditional West African percussion folk and spiritual music. The music flavor then smoothly transitions into Caribbean music and ends with a medley of Afropop, jazz and R&B music. The set list is adjusted according to the event planners needs and budget.
Artists and acts that have influenced Velekete's performance style are Babatunde Olatunji, Forces of Nature Dance Company, Papa Ladji Camara, Kaleta, Fela, and Ralph Macdonald.
Mic (for vocals)
Loud speaker system
Mic stand
Chair without arms
African Entertainment