Adama Dembele
,
Adama Dembele: Djembeso
Media
Publications:
Documents:
Photos:
Videos:
Audio/Podcasts:
Biography
Adama Dembele is a master djembéfola (djembe player) from Ivory Coast, West Africa. Born into a family of musicians, he has toured several continents with various major acts such Oumou Sangare, Salif Keita, Affou Keita, Sogona Djata and many others. Adama has played in several drum and dance companies such as Yelemba d'Abidjan, Ensemble Koteba, Congoba and many more.
Before coming to the United States Adama founded Djembeso Drum and Dance Ensemble. "Djembeso" in the West African dialect Bambará means "the house of djembe". Adama chose that name because his native home was known as the house where the djembe is played. His family has been preserving and sharing traditional music for 33 generations. People from all over the world have come there to study and experience this rich cultural tradition.
In 2005 Adama moved to the US to perform and teach the sacred art of West African drumming. He has taught his music to people of all ages and experience levels, from New York to California all the way to Asheville, NC, where he currently resides. Be it private lessons, or large groups of school children, or intensive workshops, Adama has been sharing this music and culture in this country for almost a decade now.
Aside from teaching, Adama also shares his music through performance. His current project is called Zansa, which means a mix or blend. The group plays original afropop and afrobeat music inspired by rhythms and songs of the Ivory Coast. Adama was also a part of afrobeat ensemble Afromotive and is a frequent guest of afro-surf-rock outfit Toubab Krewe.
Industry Expertise (2)
Education/Learning
Music
Areas of Expertise (20)
Adama
Zansa
Afromotive
Ivory Coast
Mali
Drum
Dance
Africa
Traditional
West Africa
Zouglou
Music
Dembele
Djembe
Mande
Malinke
Bambara
Greenville
Asheville
Djembeso
Education (1)
Ballet Kongoba Du Mali : Certified Musician - Djembe, Music and Dance 2000
Traditional West African Music and Dance Ballet
Affiliations (2)
- LEAF SS Instructor (Lake Eden Arts Festival)
- Djembeso
Links (1)
Languages (4)
- French
- English
- Bambara
- Malinke
Social