I’ve been performing as a percussionist for over 25 years — playing djembe, dunun, calabash, cajón, congas and more — often singing too.

I’ve led and played in a wide range of bands and collaborations across genres — from acoustic folk and jazz to desert blues and contemporary West African fusion, rumba, reggae and live drum & bass. Bands I’ve been part of include Cocos Lovers, Bamako Overground, and Anna Mudeka’s Tambai Ensemble, as well as new collaborations still in the works.

I’ve been in projects with Nick Mulvey, Sidiki Dembélé, and played with artists including Baaba Maal, Seckou Keita and many other Mandé musicians performing in the UK. My own band, Bamako Overground, combined folk songwriting, palm-wine guitar and psychedelic desert blues. — with me singing and leading from behind my custom calabash drum kit.

I’ve played stages as varied as Queen Elizabeth Hall, WOMAD, and spirit possession ceremonies in Bamako’s mountain suburbs — as well as plenty of grassroots gigs, festivals and warehouse parties.