Thomas Gueï is born in 1978 in Abobo (Ivory Coast), in a traditional musician and dancers family. Thomas played his first instrument, the gloé, when he was four years old, accompanying his father who was a traditional dancer. Although deeply rooted in African tradition, Thomas is also the result of the modern and worldwide era. His evolving creativity is based upon all the experiences in the recording studios and the concerts such as Kajeem, Petit Yodé et l'Enfant Siro, Espoir 2000, Bomou Mamadou, Abraham Mussa, Petit Denis, etc. In 1999, Thomas acted in the movie "Bronx-Barbès", from Eliane de Latour, and co-wrote the original music of the movie (which got a special Jury mention at the 2000 Locarno Festival). He firmly believes that it is important to teach percussion in schools, university, arts and cultural actions centres through the world, so that the mix of cultures can go on. He has a diploma of Artistic Technician, has taught drums in international schools, such as the Lycée français and the Lycée américain in Abidjan. Thomas regularly performs all over the world. He became drummer-marker in various companies, such as those of Georges Momboye, Merlin Nyakam or Serge Dupont-Tsakap. He also recorded in studio for artists like Tiken Jah Fakoly or Meiway. Today, he is a solist of the Georges Momboye Company and musical director of the Sounan band. www.myspace.com/thomasguei

Babara Bangoura is born in Conakry, but originally from Kankan, in the Republic of Guinea, Babara learns djembé when he is 11 years old. From then on, he spends his time for his passion, music. His hard work leads him to municipal ballets, where he will be noticed by Ibrahima « Boca » Camara. Babara is then hired in the Percussions de Guinée Juniors (Boca Juniors). His energy leads him after this to the Djoliba ballet. He arrives in Europe with a tour of the National Ballet in 1999. Contacted by Seny Touré to work in Belgium, he decides to stay. Babara, whom Mamady Keita sees as a son, becomes one of the strengths of Mamady's group Sewa Kan. He also creates his onwn bands, Foli Kan and Bolo Kan. Today he passes over his technique according to a pedagogy of his own and creates his own school. His enthousiasm and power make you cross all your limits, to follow his on the path of his endless creativity.
See: http://youtu.be/TO2-hIFaciA

Adama ‘Bilorou’ Dembélé was destined from birth to be a musician, through his family, his African origins and the centuries-long traditions of his part of the world. Adama was born into a family of griots in Burkina Faso, West Africa in the early 1980s. From a tender age, he learned the arts and knowledge of his caste and traveled throughout Africa and the rest of the world in the tradition of his ancestors. He has worked with many groups, including Fathin (from Burkina), bringing him to the present… Today, Adama brings together modern and Mandingo-inspired cross-genre music in a single group, with a traditional show that helps perpetuate the Mandingo culture of griots as dancers, storytellers and musicians: the Bilorou Mandingo Xperience. He is also a well-known teacher in France and will be for the first time teaching in the Netherlands!!! www.myspace.com/adamabilorou

Ibou N’Diaye is born and raised in one of the well-known griotfamily in Senegal. His mother is danser and choreographer of the National Ballet of Senegal. His father was the artistic leader of Ballet Cinemeew and his grandfather the famous percussionist Doudou N'Diaye Rose. When he was only 13 years when he joined the National Ballet and toured through Japan and Taiwan. He founded his own “Groupe Kiss”, which became very populair in Senegal because of their new and original sabar- and djembé-arrangements. Since 2003 he lives in Switzeland where he performs and teaches. Enjiy Ibou’s fantastic energy and enthusiasm this weekend!  www.djembendiaye.com

foto: Robert Hendrickx

foto: Robert Hendrickx

Moussé Dramé received his djembé- and doundoun education in the well-known Bambara griot family Diabaté-Dramé-Cissoko in Senegal. Besides being the djembé solist of various ballets, he also learned to play sabar, tama, ngoni and seourouba. Since Moussé was 15 he toured through Europe as solist of various percussion- and dance groups and taught workshops abroad. Since December 1998 many students enjoy his energetic djembé and doundoun classes and workshops in which he inspires with his knowledge and fun. He founded the organisation Djembé Dramé together with his wife Turid Dramé in 2000 and the foundation Djalidonkoli in 2010. He hopes with these organisations to make the African Music and Dance known to a broader audience. He will also be you talking drum wake up call during the weekend! See also this website.

Merlin Nyakam, nicknamed ‘the enchanter’, from Cameroon is a dancer, singer, actor and choreographer He has reached an international status for his interpretations and teaching of African and Afro-Contemporary dance. He took his first artistic steps at 5, and at 14 he joined Cameroon’s National Ballet. He became the company’s main dancer at 16. In 1990, he founded his own company and won an award from Cameroon’s Ministry for Cultural Affairs. He also won an “Epi d’Or” and is celebrated as “Best Dancer” in 1991 and was invited by French choreographers. In 2000 he founded his own company: La Calebasse. Merlin toured with Angelique Kidjo and is till today still her choreographer. Merlin teaches in Japan, Switzerland, Spain, Belgium and France and check this wonderful duet he did with Bobby Mc Ferrin: www.lacalebasse.org/VIDEO/mcferrin.htm

Stichting Djalidonkoli

Admiraal de Ruyterweg 523hs
1055 MK Amsterdam

IBAN: NL56INGB0005309471

BIC: INGBNL2A