Director Bob Chase with Mothers of the Drum
Iya Ilu: "Mothers of the Drum" is a fantastically talented ensemble of female percussionists. They are not only musicians, but also professional dancers, singers and actresses. A division of the KenYetta Dance Theater, Iya Ilu's diverse group of women is dedicated to the preservation and continued growth of traditional culture through music, dance and theater arts. Iya Ilu performs music from throughout the diaspora, including Yoruba and South African chants, songs and dances, Brazilian sambas, gospel hymns and spirituals, and folktales from West Africa. Iya Ilu is led by Musical Director Linda Thomas Jones and Artistic Director Yvetta Eley, both of whom are also teachers dedicated to using the arts as a proven effective tool in furthering education.