Tag Archives: Iya Sako
Drumroots Artist Spotlight – Iya Sako (Master drummer from Guinea)
This past year has been a tough one for performing artists, but with things starting to open up and the possibility of more live music events on the horizon, we thought now would be a good time to highlight some of the incredible West African artists we have had the privilege to work with. This will be the first in a series of blog posts, so please keep your eye out for more!
Mory Sako (known to friends and family as Iya) is a Malinke djembe master from Samakofadda in the Wassalon region of North East Guinea. We first met Iya in 2007 at a Drumroots Live event at the Rampant Lion in Manchester. He had recently moved to the UK, had heard about the event and decided to turn up. At this point, we didn’t really know anything about Iya, apart from his name and that he had recently moved here from Guinea.
(more…)African drumming workshops and performance for Eatock Primary school 03/02/2018
Ever wanted to come to one of our African drumming gigs but can’t quite make it out until midnight? Well here is your opportunity to see us perform at 10 in the morning! Drumroots are proud to announce that we have been invited to Eatock primary school in Westhoughton, Bolton for their special African Beats launch event on Saturday 3rd February. We will be putting on an extra special performance with our professional drumming group ‘Tanante’. Not only will Tanante be featuring Iya Sako our master drummer from Guinea but we will also be inviting a surprise special guest all the way from East Africa too!
Djembe and Dun-dun workshop with Iya Sako | 16th April 2016 | NEW ISLINGTON MILL
As part of our 10th birthday celebration we would like to offer a very special workshop with our friend and world renowned djembe master Iya Sako! Expect some beautiful traditional Guinean rhythms and a patient and encouraging teaching style. Workshops will be supported by Tanante members and will give students the opportunity to learn both the djembe and the dun duns (bass drums). Also don’t miss the gig in the evening to see Iya doing his thing on stage… a genuine world class percussionist, you will not be dissapointed!
Drumroots in Sudan at the Festival of the Nile
Early in the autumn, The British Council
in Sudan asked Drumroots to be a part of The Festival of the Nile. West Africa has been so successful in popularising it’s traditional music around the world and our friend from the British Council, Mustafa, wanted to use this success as an inspiring example to encourage the youth of Sudan to engage with their cultural roots. Although we knew that we would be performing and leading workshops to celebrate traditional African music, little did we know what incredible experiences were in store for us during the week ahead.
Tanante at Hexham Abbey
A huge thank you from Tanante and Drumroots to all involved in organising the Hexham abbey festival of music and arts last week, we had a fantastic time at the Abbey in Northumberland. We really loved the African drumming workshop for the local school children in the Afternoon, it had a fun vibe and we were particularly impressed with all the talented young people from Hexham! As for the evening concert, Tanante hugely enjoyed performing with our guest artists; Iya Sako, Sidiki Dembele, Jokeh Silla and Babba Galle Kante in such an awesome sounding and looking building, it really was pleasure to play in, and a truly amazing experience. (more…)
Tanante to perform at Hexham Abbey festival of music and arts 26th September 2014
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to experience the power of West African drumming from within one of the country’s most sacred and resonant spaces?
Well, on 26th September Tanante will be connecting music from the tribal communities of West Africa with the awesome acoustics of one of the North East’s most spectacular landmarks; Hexham Abbey.
Iya Sako Workshop @ Z-Arts 19th April 2014 (Video)
We’re back for another special workshop led by African djembe master, Iya Sako from Guinea. Iya is an incredibly powerful djembe player who has an encouraging and gentle teaching style and is in high demand for concerts and performances throughout the UK.
These sessions have become popular and well attended regular workshops at the Z Arts centre, Manchester. Iya’s unique, patient and encouraging teaching style allows djembe and dundun players of all levels to gain a huge amount of enjoyment and fun from the workshops whilst all being adequately pushed through their paces every time. (more…)
New Tanante Demo 2014 Tracks are Now Online
It’s been a long time since we put some new studio recordings out there and these ones have been ‘in the can’ for quite some time, but finally we are pleased to release three brand new Tanante demo tracks for 2014. The three tracks; Mendiani, Djaa and Dununba, were first recorded over two years ago with our techno man and studio wizard Andy Garvey. In the first session, Tananate along with special guest artists Iya Sako, Sidiki Dembele and Baba Galle laid down live tracks, which we then more recently added the vocals to and finally mixed them down, all at Studio Z (Z Arts Centre). (more…)
Iya Sako African Drumming Workshop at Z Arts: 29th March 2014 (Video)
We’re back for another special workshop led by African djembe master, Iya Sako from Guinea. Iya is an incredibly powerful djembe player who has an encouraging and gentle teaching style and is in high demand for concerts and performances throughout the UK. These sessions offer students the opportunity to learn at a more advanced level with not only the regular Drumroots teachers Jamie and John but with top Guinean Djembe player Iya Sako. All details can be found here.
Drumroots Workshops with Iya Sako at Z-Arts Manchester: 15th Feb 2014
After the great success of our recent workshop, led by djembe player Iya Sako, we are back for the next installment. Iya will return to The Z-Arts Centre in Manchester to be supported by the Drumroots team for a special African Djembe and Dundun class. For those who weren’t at the last workshop or who have never attended an Iya Sako workshop, you really need to come along this time! Iya one of the country’s top African drummers, and also is an encouraging and inspiring teacher. (more…)
