James Brown founded Tanante in 2004 together with Simon McCarthy and was a founding member of  Drumroots.

After gaining a BSC in Music, Acoustics & Recording from the University of Salford in 2001, James spent 9 months in Africa learning djembe with Master Drummers.

He returned to complete a traineeship with Greater Manchester Music Action Zone (youth workshop facilitation) and quickly applied his energy to developing the performance group (Tanante) in 2004 and the workers co-operative (Drumroots) with fellow members in     2005.

James' energy extended into other areas, mainly as a founding member of two collectives - Stumblefunk Soundsystem and Drum Music.  Also known as 'DJ Sine', James was a hugely talented technician and DJ. His last release, 'Kingdom of Zion' (March 2008, Kingdom Records), was produced with DJ partner Fibre (Pete Cadney).

James' talent for djembe was beyond his years. Patience and commitment enabled James to master the drum to a higher level than most Western players. People also remember James for his unique ability as a workshop facilitator, bringing love and unity through his project work with older adults, children with Aspergers/Autism, and adults with mental health issues. James continued to shape the vision of Tanante and Drumroots before he left the UK for an 18 month study trip to Africa.

In early December 2007 James, with fellow band members, started out from Manchester for Africa. The 5,000 mile drive took the group through France, Spain, Morocco, Western Sahara, Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia and finally to the small North Eastern village of Sangbaralla in the Hammana region of Guinea.  James soon settled into village life, studying each day with Master Drummers and began to learn the local language, Malinke. James loved his life in Africa, where he felt very much at home. In early February 2008 James contracted cerebral malaria and later died in Conakry on 17 February.

James touched people's lives wherever he went. His energy continues to be present in all that we do. We miss James as a musician, teacher and friend, and remember him with joy and love. Thank you James for all that you gave and for all that you continue to inspire.

To see our favourite pictures of James, please visit his gallery