The New Orleans Jazz Museum and Wesley Phillips presents Drumming Circle.
This program takes place inside our Education Center located outside the first floor.
Please contact Wesley Phillips (504) 250-5244 if you are interested in signing up for classes.
Wesley Phillips
The Ultimate Sideman
Wesley was born and raised in New Orleans, LA and has been playing music for over 50 years. He began playing the bongos and the conga drum with the Desire Poets in 1972. He played for Mama Suma, Free Southern Theater, New Orleans Dance Co., and the Energy Funk Band.
Wesley joined the Southern University in New Orleans' jazz program and studied under Edward "Kidd" Jordan in 1976. Wesley performed with SUNO’s big band, jazz ensemble, and african percussion groups at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival through 1982. Kidd introdued Wesley to Sun Ra at the 1979 Jazz Fest. This began his tour with Sun Ra and his Solar Arkestra from 1979 to 1981, including the 1981 Chicago Jazz Fest on PBS. He later appeared with Sun Ra and his Cosmic Love Adventure Arkestra at music festivals from 1989 to 1991 in New Orleans, Birmingham, AL, and Jackson, MS.
In 1980, Wesley began his 16 years of playing gospel music on an album with Alvin Bridges and the Desire Community Choir. He played on four additional albums, and after many years at the Jazz Fest, the choir was invited to a three week tour of Italy.
In 1987, Wesley began his 10 year study of Afro-Brazilian culture with Curtis Pierre and Casa Samba. He has appeared in parades, festivals, theater, and television shows, presenting the folklore and celebrations of Brazil.
He was introduced to Senegalese culture by Abdoulaye "Papa" Camara in 1990 and have studied with former members of the Senegal National Ballet, including Abdoulaye Diaktaye- djembe; Souleman Diop- kutiro; and Mar Gueye- sabar. Wesley spent 15 years drumming at dance workshops with Papa, including conferences in Washington, DC; Oakland, CA; St. Louis, MO; Atlanta, GA; and Tallahasse, FL. He has performed as a member of the Free Spirit Drummers and Stiltwalkers; the Culu Children's and N'Kafu Traditional African Dance Companies; Sacred Dance Ministry; and Papa's own dance company, Alabatu. Wesley has instructed African drumming with children at summer camps, festivals and workshops in Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas.
In 1992, Wesley was recruited to join the FIYIYI Black Masking Indian group after playing the African bass drum on Mardi Gras Day. For the next 30 years, Wesley would play New Orleans' music with African drums with FIYIYI and the Mandingo Warriors. Performances included the Hopi, Navajo, and Yavapi Indian Reservations, the White House, and Paris, France.
In 2001, Wesley introduced his drum making workshop at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. The drums made at the many festivals, schools, and day care center workshop help children develop patience and creativity while using recycled items. First Lady Laura Bush and a group of school kids have played on his drums at a New Orleans' Children Museum workshop.
In 2013, Wesley wrote and co-produced "Spirit of the Drum", a drummer's presentation of New Orleans' street rituals and celebrations. With Artistic Director Binta B. McDaniels as co-producer, Spirit of the Drums was presented at the West African Reseach Center in Dakar, Senegal. In 2017, the production debuted in the U. S. at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival as Kamau and the Spirit of the Drums. This was Wesley’s first festival appearance as a bandleader.
In 2018, Wesley co-authored the book “Fire in the Hole: The Spirit Work Of FIYIYI & The Mandingo Warriors. FIYIYI and the Mandingo Warriors appeared at book signings and panel discusions at events, including the Louisiana Book Festival in Baton Rouge, and the Tennessee Williams Book Festival in New Orleans.
In 2022, Wesley self- published “Mr. Drummer and the Cowrie Shell Hat”, a non-fiction story of a grandfather’s contributions as a cultural bearer. Using the book’s artifacts, costumes, and drums, Wesley developed an interactive storytelling presentation for kindergarden to 5th grade students.
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