Who We Are...
Drum Roots are a diverse group of individuals with a common passion for music, especially rhythm and the rediscovery of its social and spiritual importance.  All members of Tanante have trained with master drummers in Africa and have a lifetime commitment to West African drumming. Tanante also studied with Seckou Keita throughout 2007, as supported by the Arts Council, and most recently with Master Drummers in Sangbaralla, the infamous home village of Famoudou Konate and Nansady Keita in Guinea (see our Teachers page for more details):

 Ibrahima Sagna (Sens) is a professional West African dancer and experienced teacher from Senegal. He teaches a lively weekly dance class in the community (supported by live drumming from Tanante) and also performs with Tanante as a singer and dancer. 
Simon McCarthy studied BA in Popular Music and Recording at Salford University and is a talented, versatile musician (Guitar, African Harp (Ngone), djembe and dun duns).  He spent 2 years travelling in Africa, 6 months studying with Master Drummers in Gambia/Burkina Faso, and recently trained with Guinea Simon now delivers community workshops, group and one to one drumming tuition. As an expert drum maker, he developed links with Gambian craftspeople to source fair-trade drum shells for Drum Roots. Simon also manages our performance and workshop bookings.

Jamie Riley is a skilled drummer with over 5 years performance experience.  He has completed intense training in the Gambia with a Master Drummer and facilitates workshops with diverse groups, especially noted for his skill with children and adults with mental health issues. Jamie is a very skilled drum skinner and now manages our drum skinning and repair department. He is also a talented designer for Drum Roots.
John Tullo (Beej) studied with a community drumming group in New Zealand and is a skilled djembe and dun dun player.  He also supports diverse workshops and manages the photography for our website.
  
Joanna Huddart studied Tabla and established a community samba band before joining Tanante.  She has studied with Master Drummers in Senegal, Gambia and Guniea, and manages the women's drum circle. As a qualified person centred counsellor and Reiki Practitioner, Joanna specialises in working with women and adults in trauma.  Her extensive organisational and strategic planning skills have supported the development of Drum Roots since its inception.

Andy Clarke trained with the advanced workshop band before joining Tanante in 2007. A versatile djembe/dun dun player, Andy also supports weekly workshops and has experience in youth work and therapeutic communities. He previously studied with Master Drummers in Senegal and The Gambia.

Leo Paredes trained with the advanced workshop band before joining Tanante in 2007.  He is an energetic djembe/dun dun player, as well as skilled cajon player with a Manchester based flamenco band. Leo studied with Master Drummers in Senegal and The Gambia and regularly supports weekly workshops.

Tess Clarke is our most recent member for 2008. She trained for several years with the advanced workshop band, then began to co-deliver women's drumcircle weekends. Tess now supports our regular Tuesday workshops at Union Chapel and brings her own blend of magic to the group!
 
IN MEMORY

James Brown (1979-2008) was a founding member of Tanante and Drumroots. He gained a BSc in Music, Acoustics & Recording from the University of Salford (2001), studied for 9 months with Master Drummers in Africa and then completed a traineeship with Greater Manchester Music Action Zone (youth workshop facilitation). A skilled workshop faciltator, James had experience of working with older adults, children with Aspergers/Autism and adults with mental health issues, and also delivered long-term projects. He will be deeply missed by us all.