location: Bamako
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Ngri : Papus Zani
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Mendiani Dance : Mariam Diakite
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Maraka : Matche Traore
Matche Traore demonstrates the rhythm Maraka accompanied by Jesse Servin, and Aaron in Bamako. January 2016.
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Sogoninkun, Ngri : Seydou Balo
Seydou Balo plays two rhythms from his home region of Wassoulou. First Sogoninkun and then Ngri. We like this video because: Seydou and konkoni player Madou Diakite take us through different movements of these rhythms with the ups and downs typical of Wassoulou drumming.
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Sungurubani, Fura : Souleymane Sidibe, Matche Traore
Matche Traore and his teacher Souleymane Sidibe play two rhythms in this video shot in Bamako at The Djembe Hotel. They are joined by Sidi Jan Traore, a djembe player visiting from Kayes. The first is a rhythm with many versions from Wassoulou known as Sungurubani. The second is called Fura in Bamako (aka Kita […]
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Suku : Issou Keita
This is a clean Bamako version of Suku (Soli Rapide) with clear language and minimal embellishments. Issou (Student of Matche Traore, and son to Michael Tivier of Wassoulou Percussions) plays through a sequence twice – the second time is faster with more force. We like this video because: This video is good for studying. The […]
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Sunu : Karim Coulibaly
Karim Coulibaly (Featured as a guest soloist on Sega Sidibe’s most recent release) and another guy (possibly Sheik Oumar Traore) play Sunu in Bamako. The first guy plays his solo mostly with tones and closed slaps, just like they do in Kaarta, the area Sunu comes from. We like this video because: There are no dununs […]
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Mendiani : Drissa Kone
For this rendition of Mendiani, Drissa Kone is accompanied by Jeremy Chevrier on djembe and Banou Sidibe on dunduns. Mendiani is one of Drissa’s strongest rhythms. He was fortunate enough to have learned much from Fasiriman Keita, the former drummer for Daba Keita. Daba is the Malian drummer and dancer credited with creating the Malinke group “Troupe Mendiani.” in the […]
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Maraka : Mady Keita
Mady Keita goes through many root solo phrases for Maraka in this demonstration with Matche Traore playing konkoni. It’s a great video to study because the phrasing is very clear, even if it is somewhat dry.
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Ngri : Seydou Balo
Seydou Balo (deceased) plays a great demonstration of Ngri during a class held at the Djembe Hotel in Bamako, Mali. Seydou is from the Wassoulou region of Mali, and so is this rhythm, Ngri. He plays Ngri with a flavor that’s different from the way Bamako musicians play it today. Only Seydou plays djembe in this […]
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N’Gri : Seydou Balo, Drissa Kone
Seydou Balo and Drissa Kone play Ngri in Bamako. They each solo with their own unique style. We like this video because: Seydou and Drissa both play with their own unique style. It’s nice to see the contrast. Seydou plays Ngri with a more Wassolon playing style, which is where this rhythm is from. They […]
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Sumalen : Drissa Kone
Drissa Kone and his chums play a rhythm called Sumalen – and man, is it ever groovy! We like this video because: This is a very musical rendition of Sumalen. It’s a pleasure to watch. There are very few videos of this rhythm on the web. It’s also one of the few examples of using […]
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Ceremony In Bamako : Seydou Keita
Seydou Keita plays djembe tastefully at this ceremony in Bamako. Do you know the name of this rhythm and dance? We like this video because: Seydou is a younger guy with great energy, but unlike many young djembe players in Bamako, he respects each rhythm’s special flavor. It’s a good study reference. Tisanba doesn’t show up […]
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Suku, Madan : Drissa Kone, Sedou Balo
Drissa Kone and Sedou Balo have fun warming up before a ceremony in Bamako. What a team! We like this video because: Contrast. These guys have really different styles. In Suku, we can learn a lot from watching them both do it “their way”. We can also learn some good, simple jeli dundun variations from […]
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Dansa : Matche Traore, Souleye Sidibe
Matche and his teacher Souleye Sidibe play djembe solo for Dansa. Matche plays in a very “Bamako” style and Souleye plays in a very “Wassolon” style. We like this video because: We love these videos where two people play djembe solo with quite different styles. The contrast helps us hone in on the rhythm’s essence […]
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Jagawara : Aruna Sidibe
Aruna Sidibe plays a rendition of Djagawara, a rhythm from the region of Wassoulou. This video was taken during a recording session for the CD “Mali Drums: Old Masters” recorded by Michael Pluznik in Bamako. We like this video because: Aruna is really good at varying on only a few key themes and keeping a […]
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Sunu : Jeremy Chevrier, Sega Cisse
Here we see Jeremy and Sega Cisse trading solos for Sunu in a session at the Djembe Hotel in Bamako. Jeremy Chevrier doesn’t often solo on camera, so this is a rare treat indeed! Jeremy’s playing is sweet and juicy, and it’s obvious that Sega is having a good time playing with him.
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Bamanafoli : Matche Traore
Matche Traore demonstrates Bamana Foli at the Djembe Hotel in Bamako, Mali. We like this video because: We haven’t found too many videos of Bamanafoli being played. The djembe and dundun playing for this rhythm are pretty similar to Suku. You may also hear this dundun part played as a variation inside of Suku sometimes. Matche […]
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Madan : Sine Dante
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Sogoninkun : Aruna Sidibe
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Dansa Rehearsal : National Ballet of Mali
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Woloso & Others : Short Drissa Kone Documentary
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Sogoninkun : Seydou Balo
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Mendiani : Amara Kante