Djamil Diop

Djamil is a master Doun Doun, Djembe, and Sabar drummer from Senegal, West Africa. He comes from a long line of Sabar Griots, or storytellers, who have passed down his people’s traditions and history through the language of the Sabar drums. The sixth in a family of seven internationally recognized musicians, he began his musical education from the time he could walk under the tutorial of his older brother, Badou, who studied with the greats and toured Europe as the lead drummer for the Senegalese National Ballet.

For the past 15 years in Senegal, Djamil performed traditional West African music with various Ballet Nationals in the capital and Casamance Region of Senegal, played for a modern African dance company, and recorded melodies for Senegal’s greatest musicians. During this time, he instructed percussion and dance workshops and private lessons for students from around the world.

Since his arrival in the states in October of 2008, he has performed in concerts with traditional African dance companies and African fusion bands and drummed for Sabar and Djembe dance workshops in San Francisco, Oakland, and New York. He frequently performs for school assemblies in San Francisco, and teaches weekly group and private Doun Doun, Djembe, and Sabar percussion classes for adults in the Bay Area. His dream is to organize his own musical group with other accomplished musicians to experiment with the melodies in his mind and create new rhythms.

Djembe and Sabar Drum and Dance Workshop in Senegal

With the Diop Family
December 17, 2012 - January 13, 2013
Come for 1, 2, 3, or 4 weeks!

Teachers' Biographies

Badou, Ibou, Adama, Cheikh, and Djamil Diop and family

The Diops are all famous and virtuoso percussionists. From the well known family of Sabar griots “Sing Sing Rythmes”, they have preserved their people's traditions for centuries through the drum. Drumming is in their blood. They learned to play the DunDun, Djembe, and Sabar from the time they could walk and grew up playing together. As adults, they toured the world with various Senegalese national ballets. When the brothers unite, the percussion reaches an infectious level of synchrony that will move you from deep within.

The oldest from the family of seven internationally recognized musicians, Badou is often considered one of West Africa’s Djembe greats. He taught his younger siblings all that they know. His younger brother, Ibou, is admired internationally for his fast hands.

In addition to drumming, Adama was a dance choreographer for Ballet Silimbo in Ecole des Artes. He began teaching students from Europe in 1990 and has been performing and teaching throughout the US since 1999. He is currently the director of Diop Percu International School of African Music and Dance in California.

Cheikh currently lives in Holland, where he teaches 100 plus drum students, accompanies during dance lessons, and plays in many different groups all over Europe. He now directs his own group: DIOP PERCU.

Djamil, an ingenious Dundun player, recently moved to the US, where he teaches percussion for all ages and performs. He is a patient teacher, good at helping students feel the tempo.

Hailing from a long line of traditional musicians, the Diops are connected to the top dancers in Senegal. They will bring in several Master dancers who live in Dakar and have performed extensively with National Ballets to teach dance class. Music and dance is always evolving at its source, and those living in Senegal will be able to teach the latest moves and rhythms.

Weekday Schedule

There will be no classes on the weekends. The Diops will travel to Touba for a two-day spiritual pilgrimage around the New Year. Literally miilions of people from all around the world go each year. Students are welcome to join this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Other weekend excursions can be arranged upon request. Senegal has many beautiful spots to visit. (Weekend excursions are not included in the workshop price.)

Join this beautiful percussion/dance trip to Senegal

Book now for this trip.