WHO WE ARE... Drumroots are a diverse group of individuals with a common passion for music, especially rhythm and the rediscovery of its social and spiritual importance in modern society. Members of Tanante train with master drummers in Africa and have a lifetime commitment to West African drumming. Tanante also studied with Seckou Keita throughout 2007, as supported by The Arts Council, and most recently with Master Drummers in Sangbaralla, the infamous home village of Famoudou Konate and Nansady Keita in Guinea (see our Teachers page for more details)... 
Ibrahima Sagna (Sens) is a professional West African dancer and experienced teacher from Senegal, bringing much fire to his work!
He teaches Manchester's most popular and lively weekly drop in dance class (supported by live drumming from Tanante) every Tuesday at Union Chapel, Fallowfield.
Sens performs with Tanante as a singer and dancer and works with many respected resident African artists across the UK.
Simon McCarthy graduated from Salford University (BA Popular Music & Recording) and is a talented, versatile musician (Guitar, African Harp: Ngone, djembe and dun duns). He spent 2 years travelling in Africa, 6 months studying with Master Drummers in Gambia/Burkina Faso and recently trained with Guinea. Simon delivers workshops and offers private tuition.
As an expert drum maker, he developed links with Gambian craftspeople to source fair-trade drum shells for Drumroots.
Jamie Riley is a skilled drummer with over 5 years performance experience. He has completed intense training in Gambia with a Master Drummer and trained in Guinea.
he is noted for his passion and natural skill in facilitating workshops with diverse groups, especially children and adults with mental health issues.
Jamie is a respected drum maker and manages the Drumroots drum skinning & repair team. He is also a talented designer.
John Tullo (Beej) first studied with a community drumming group in New Zealand and since studied with Master drummers in Guinea and Gambia.
Joining Tanante in 2004, he is a skilled djembe and dun dun player and since 2008 involved in all aspects of Drumroots, supporting diverse workshops and managing our website.
Joanna Huddart studied Tabla and helped established a community samba band before joining Tanante in 2005. She studied with Master Drummers in Senegal, Gambia and Guniea, and co-founded the Drumroots women's drum circle. As a qualified person centred counsellor and Reiki Practitioner, Joanna has a deep interest in the drum as a tool for change and healing.
Her Business Development skills have supported Drumroots since its inception. Joanna now manages our Bookings, Projects and Accounts.
Andy Clarke trained with the Drumroots advanced workshop band before joining Tanante in 2007. A versatile djembe/dun dun player, Andy absorbs music at an amazing speed! He has more recently develop experience in youth work and is currently studing Diploma in Counselling, with an interest in therapeutic communities.
He previously studied with Master Drummers in Senegal and Gambia.
Tess Clarke is our most recent member for 2008, helping to balance the male to female ratio in the band!
She trained for several years with the Drumroots advanced workshop band and then began to support the Drumroots women's drumcircle.
Tess also supports our Tuesday djembe class at Union Chapel and brings her own blend of magic to the group...
IN MEMORY
James Brown (1979-2008)
It is with great sorrow that we share the news of the death
of our dear friend and band member James Brown. James contracted cerebral malaria during our overland trip to Guinea this winter.
He died a week later in hospital.
We will all miss James as an inspirational musician, teacher and friend.
James Brown (1979-2008) was a founding member of Tanante and Drumroots. He gained a BSc in Music, Acoustics & Recording from the University of Salford (2001), studied for 9 months with Master Drummers in Africa and then completed a traineeship with Greater Manchester Music Action Zone (youth workshop facilitation). A skilled workshop faciltator, James had experience of working with older adults, children with Aspergers/Autism and adults with mental health issues, and also delivered long-term projects.
