From 1963 to 1971, Papa performed with the legendary Baba Olatunji. In addition, Ladji worked with Pearl Primus and the Constance Santi Dance Company (Haitian Company). Between 1965 and 1966 Papa performed with the legendary Jazz master Yusef Lateef. In 1966 Papa performed and taught Master class dance and drumming at Nan Dinzulu. He continued to work with Dinzulu until 1990.
In 1969, Papa performed with the Nilo Tandra Dance Company at the Hotel Liboria on 47th Street in New York. Mongo Santamaria was amongst the many musicians that performed with Ladji. In 1971, Papa opened his African drumming and dance studio, the Ladji Camara African Dance Studio, located in the Bronx, NY. His spouse, the late Aminata Camara, introduced African hair braiding and hair design, food and attire to the community. This studio was created as an opportunity for everyone to experience the African culture. The Ladji Camara Dance Company performed at the Kennedy Center in Boston in March 1971. Papa also performed with Nina Simone in 1972, Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers in 1973 and Alvin Ailey in 1974.
The dream of Ladji's grandfather was coming full circle. As the third child of Fanyuma Mamadi and Baleia Camara, Papa Ladji Camara is a Messenger for the African People. He always believed "We are all family and he is Papa." "All races can become unified through African Culture." His life is a testimony to one of his favorite credos: "African People for Americans, and American People for Africans."
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Many thanks to
Andy Wasserman
for this article.
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Papa Ladji Camara can be contacted through
AndyWasserman@worldnet.att.net
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