Interview With Ahmed Tarawally
This is reprinted from the Seattle neighborhood newspaper called The Voice, May 2001 issue

RESIDENT BUILDS COMMUNITY TIES THROUGH MUSIC
by Brooke Kempner, Voice Reporter

Among the clatter of chatting and children playing inside Gatewood Church in West Seattle, the soukous/reggae sounds of The African Knights made people take a moment to listen and smile. The four-member band, led by Ahmed Tarawally Jr., a West Seattle High-rise Resident, performed in April as part of a West Seattle Community celebration. Tarawally and the African Knights play at events like this in the hopes of bringing a positive message to their audience.

"I wanted to carry the message of freedom and unity among people and also the message of love, and I think the African Knights have that," Tarawally said.

Tarawally left his village and his family in Sierra Leone, in West Africa, with the goal of coming to America to pursue music. He spent time in London and in New York before arriving in Seattle in 1990. "My intention was to come to the US so that I can do the great work that I want to do." Tarawally said.

Once in Seattle, Tarawally made several attempts to get a successful band going, hoping to record an album. His first band, African Roots, lasted for two years before they split. Afterward he moved on to form a new band with a new name, The African Knights. Over the years, the band kepts the same name, but its members have shifted. Tarawally believes that the bands current dynamic works well, especially since they are finally releasing an album this month. He is happy that his work and dedication are now paying off.

"Music is persistence, perseverance,, patience, and you have to hang in there tough. That is what I have been doing, just hanging in there tough," Tarawally said.

In the process of playing in bands and playing music, Tarawally felt the need to form ties like those he had in his native village of Mabonto and became involved with his community here in the US. "I grew up in a community of about 40 houses, where everybody knows everybody, so that's why I am family-oriented and I create another family while I'm here in this country by assisting people," Tarawally said.

He helps out at many of the places where he plays and donates time while learning music theory. He plays organizations like the Seattle Housing Authority (SHA) and the Aloha Inn, a homeless organization where he once was the housing manager. Currently, he spends much of time teaching music to children from different schools the various elements of music as a music instructor with Youth Advancement Through Music and Art. "I teach different styles so that they can actually feel something from a different direction," Tarawally said. "Most of these kids get very excited when they find out that it is African. I really like that. That's why I have been with the kids for a long time."

Tarawally's teachings are mostly based on rhythms and sounds of different instruments, rather than theories. However, when Tarawally came to the United states and practiced music, he began to realize that music theory would be useful. "I'm into theory now, because when I was in Africa, I didn't have theory," Tarawally said.

He gets help from other members of his band, but mostly he is teaching himself through books. "Later I hope to write my first piece," Tarawally said. "That would be a really good moment for me. I can't wait."