Batalá New York

Batalá New York is an all women, Black-led, Afrocentric drumming ensemble. We understand Afro-Brazilian culture to be the product of Black resistance and promote and collaborate with a network of Afro-Brazilian artists in Bahia, in New York, and around the globe. We are also transforming images of women by presenting a loud, fearless and diverse community of female drummers. We perform all over the New York region in concert halls, at community centers, parks and gardens, on the streets, at protests, and at top cultural institutions. 

Batalá New York is part of a global arts project of over thirty bands playing Afro-Brazilian music with percussive instruments and costumes hailing from Salvador de Bahia, in northeast Brazil. The Batalá bands principally play Samba Reggae, a world music that incorporates Brazilian Samba and Caribbean Reggae. The band's music includes rhythms heard throughout the African diaspora and pays homage to traditional Afro-Brazilian music and spirituality. Most of our instruments are worn on the body as we play. Our performances, with colorful costumes and dynamic choreography, are a high energy, joyful percussive experience.

Deinya Phenix, Ph.D. is a sociologist, mother, and child of the African Diaspora. After decades of dancing on stage (since the age of 5), she was blessed to be introduced to Afro-Brazilian percussion by gifted musician Cafe da Silva in 2009.  She has been a member of Batala New York among other bands since 2012, and she has traveled to Europe, South America and the Caribbean teaching and learning about Afro-Diasporic music and dance.  Over the course of 9 years, Deinya rose through the ranks from conductor to Co-Musical Director to Artistic & Musical Director of Batalá New York. Deinya has trained and led over 100 women of Batalá New York to bring high energy, culturally relevant, visually stimulating performances grounded in community, centering service, and powered by partnership with masters of percussion and dance across the globe.