www.tanante.co.uk


	OUR TEACHERS All members of Drumroots and Tanante train in West Africa and the UK with Master Drummers ("Djembe Folas"). Returning to the source of original knowledge is the key to our progression and success as performers and teachers. We grow from our experiences of African culture and the invaluable lessons of our teachers. Iya Sako Since April 2009 Tanante have been blessed with the opportuity to work and train with Iya Sako, a Guinean djembe master from Samakofadda in the Wassalon region, North East Guinea. A short biography of Iya follows: Mory Sako, known by his friends and family as Iya, was born in Samakofadda, Guinea, West Africa. Iya is Malinké, one of the many tribes of Guinea. Aged 9, Iya started to play dundun with Mamady Doumbouya (the village djembe fola) and his year group. After 4 years, Iya was chosen to continue the tradition of djembe fola and became renowned across the Siguiri and Wassalon regions, being in huge demand for traditional fêtes. Iya subsequently worked with Solo Traoré, the Malinké Walla Walla (traditional male dancer/singer) in Guinea and Mali, and taught his first international students in Mali in 1999. In 2004, Iya was introduced to Famoudou Konaté in the capital of Guinea,Conakry. He then worked with Famoudou. supporting international student classes and performed with Famoudou's group "Hamana Diada" for 3 years. Iya also played with "Fankabah", who performed for international djembe fola Mamady Keita and students in 2006/2007. Iya performed with Famoudou Konaté and Nansady Keita in the UK at African Drum Village in August 2007 during Famoudou's second visit to the UK. Iya moved the the Uk in 2007 and lives in the North West. He continues to teach and perform internationally. For more details visit www.iyasako.co.uk Nansady Keita In 2007 Tanante were invited to study in Nansady's village, Sangbaralla, Guinea. Since then, we have continued to work with Nansady, as students and workshop organisers. In May 2009, Drumroots invited Nansady to deliver a djembe masterclasses at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester. Tanante have had the honour of performing with Nansady several times. A short biography of Nansady follows... Nansady was born in the village of Sangbaralla, in the North East Hamana region of Guinea. Aged 8 he received his first djembé and began studying with Djoumeh Camara, later joining the group to perform at traditional fetes. In 1997, the world-renowned djembé-master, Famoudou Konaté asked Nansady to support his work with non-African students in Conakry. This was the start of an ongoing arrangement, with Nansady teaching Famoudou's annual percussion workshops until in 2007. Each year Nansady still performs for the international students at Famoudou's winter workshops. Since his arrival in the UK, Nansady has taught throughout the country, regularly performing at music festivals across the world. In 2009, following a long success with groups such as "Les Petits de Hamana", "Fankabah" and "Hamana Kalu", Nansady formed the "Nansady Keita's Ensemble" with Guinean musicians resident in the UK. He also works with two Uk based performance groups. For more details visit www.nansadykeita.com Namory Keita In 2008, Tanante were taught by Namory Keita in Sangbaralla, a small village in the Hamana region of North East Guinea, home of Famoudou Konate. Namory 'djene', or 'tall' Namori is the village djembe fola. A short biography of Namori follows: Born in Sangberalla in 1982 and schooled in the village, Namori was always surrounded by the traditional music of Hamana. At a very young age he began to learn and play the rhythms, at first on a wooden box. Not until age 14 did his enthusiasm lead him to study djembe solo with the village djembe folas (Famoudou Konate and Nansday Keita). In 1999 when Nansady moved to Europe, Namori become the village djembe fola. Since then, not only has he led countless traditional music events and ceremonies, but he has also taught hundreds of students from around the world. Namori hosted workshops in Conaky, and played and recorded with the group Fankaba. In Summer 2008 Namori came to Europe for the first time... For more info visit: www.namorykeita.com Seckou Keita In 2006 Tanate met Seckou Keita, an internationally respected Master Drummer resident in theUK, who extended the invitation for us to become his students in 2007. Drumroots then successfully applied to for an Arts Council grant to train with Seckou, through which we were able to develop: as individual artists improving technique, skills and stamina as a group diversifying and strengthening our ability to perform a repertoire of diverse material from the tradition as artists within a tradition, gaining a deeper understanding of West African arts, enabling us to perform with authenticity and confidence as performers increasing the quality and standard of West African performance in the UK as teachers operating within diverse communities, passing our knowledge onto our students and workshop participants A short biography of Seckou follows: Born in Senegal, Seckou grew up playing percussion and kora (African harp) as a member of the noted Cissokho griot family, and became a mater of a variety of drums (Djembe, Seourouba, Wolof drums). His international career began in Norway under the guidance of his uncle Solo Cissokho, collaborating with Cuban and Scandinavian musicians, and later with Indian violinist Dr L Subrimanium. Relocating to the UK in 1998, Seckou joined acclaimed world music group Baka Beyond, contributing to their 'East To West' album. As a solo artist, he released 'Baiyo' (2001 - reissued as Mali), and supported Youssou N'Dour and Salif Keita. Nominated for a BBC Radio 3 World Music Award, his next tour with Jalikunda (members of the Cissokho family) in 2003 resulted in 'Lindiane'. Seckou now performs with The Seckou Keita Quartet, an ensemble blending European and African instruments. Their debut 'Acoustic Vibes' (2004)was followed by 'Afro-Mandinka Soul: Tama-Silo' (2006) and 'World Artventures' (2009), with global tour success. Seckou remains in high demand as a teacher and performer at Womad, Glastonbury and other international world music festivals. For more details, visit www.seckoukeita.com Babacar Jatta In 2001 a member of Tanante met Babacar Jatta. Although not born into the tradition, he is a skilled player and teacher, who has since taught many members of Tanante in Gambia. A short biography of Babacar follows: Born in Ziguinchor, Casamance, Babacar started playing djembe aged 21. He began training in Diana, near Abene where his energy and enthusiasm for the music enabled him to progress rapidly. Later Babacar moved to Gambia to continue his studies with Akasa, a Guinean Master Drummer. In the following years, he played with many drumming troupes, including The Kanilia Band (with Sens, dancer and singer with Tanante). Babacar now lives in Serrakunda, Gambia, where he conintues to play and teach overseas students.