This September is shaping up to be one of the most exciting months we’ve ever had at Drumroots.
We’re incredibly honoured to be welcoming Sekouba Oulare to Manchester for two exclusive djembe workshops on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th September 2026, hosted by Drumroots in partnership with Djembe-AWA and Music Worldwide.
For us, this is much more than organising another workshop.
As members of Tanante, we’ve been huge admirers of Sekouba’s playing for many years. His playful style, the way his solos dance effortlessly around the beat, drawing your ear to different parts of the rhythm, and the incredible clarity and cleanliness of every note have fascinated us for years. There’s an unmistakable connection to his late father, Fadouba Oulare, whose phrasing and musical language continue to live on through Sekouba’s playing.
We’ve often studied and taught some of Sekouba’s solo phrases in our weekly Drumroots classes, always inspired by the creativity, feel and precision behind every phrase. Long before that, we were devoted fans of Fadouba Oulare, whose influence on traditional Guinean djembe playing is impossible to overstate. Widely regarded as one of the greatest djembefolas of all time, Fadouba had an extraordinary ability to make the djembe sing. His solos weren’t simply fast or technically brilliant—they illuminated the rhythm beneath them. That same quality shines through in Sekouba’s playing today, making it both deeply traditional and unmistakably his own.
To now have the opportunity to finally meet Sekouba, learn directly from him and perform alongside him at the Music Worldwide Drum Camp is something we genuinely never imagined when we first started listening to the Oulare family’s music all those years ago.
Although Sekouba now lives in Brazil, he’ll be travelling to Europe this September for a select number of events, including the Music Worldwide Drum Camp, where Tanante will be supporting his workshops before sharing the stage with him in performance. It’s a huge honour for us to be involved and an experience we’re all incredibly excited about.
To prepare for our performance with Sekouba at Drum Camp, we’ve been working closely with Jeremy from Djembe-AWA, who is coordinating Sekouba’s European tour. Jeremy is an exceptional djembefola and teacher in his own right, having worked and toured with legendary artists including Mamady Keïta. His knowledge of traditional Guinean music is second to none.
What’s made this even more special is the commitment Jeremy has shown. He’s travelled over from Belgium to rehearse with Tanante in person and will be making the journey again before Drum Camp to help us refine every detail. Having the opportunity to work so closely with someone of Jeremy’s calibre has been an invaluable experience, giving us a much deeper understanding of Sekouba’s arrangements, the Sankaran style and the musical traditions of the Oulare family.
By the time Sekouba arrives in Manchester for these workshops, we’ll already have spent weeks immersed in his music, learning from Jeremy and preparing for our performance together at Drum Camp. We’re genuinely thrilled to then be able to welcome Sekouba to Drumroots for this special weekend and share his knowledge, energy and incredible musicianship with the wider drumming community.
Sekouba Oulare is a master Guinean djembefola (djembe player) from the Sankaran region of Guinea.
As the son of the legendary Fadouba Oulare, he carries one of the most respected musical lineages in West Africa. Traditional Malinké rhythms, techniques and oral history have been passed through the Oulare family for generations, and Sekouba continues that tradition through his teaching and performances around the world.
Known for his extraordinary speed, precision, playful phrasing and deep understanding of traditional rhythm, Sekouba has become one of the most respected teachers on the international djembe scene. Whether you’ve seen him perform before or this will be your first opportunity to study with him, you’re in for something very special.
10:30am – 4:00pm
One of the things we admire most about Sekouba is his ability to teach drummers of every level together.
Complete beginners don’t get left behind, while experienced players are constantly challenged.
Using a traditional rhythm such as Kala or Soli, Sekouba gradually builds the music layer by layer.
Beginners establish the heartbeat with accessible accompaniment patterns or foundational dunun (bass drum) parts that provide the pulse for the whole ensemble.
Intermediate players develop more syncopated accompaniment phrases and explore rhythmic variations, adding greater depth and texture to the music.
Advanced drummers are challenged with chauffe (acceleration) patterns, lightning-fast triplets and intricate solo phrases that demand speed, precision and complete control.
By the end of the day everyone is playing together as one ensemble, with every player contributing at their own level.
12:00pm – 5:30pm
Sunday is aimed at intermediate and advanced players wanting to explore Sekouba’s traditional style in greater depth.
The day will focus on the distinctive Sankaran style and the musical legacy of Fadouba Oulare, including:
For anyone passionate about traditional Guinean djembe, this is an incredible opportunity to learn directly from someone who has inherited these rhythms through family tradition.
Venue
St. George’s Community Centre
Windmill Lane
Denton
Manchester M34 2EY
10:30am – 4:00pm
All Levels Welcome
12:00pm – 5:30pm
Intermediate & Advanced Players
Places are limited and we expect this weekend to be very popular.
Book online:
www.ticketsource.com/drumroots
Email:
[email protected]
It’s not often that a drummer of Sekouba Oulare’s calibre teaches in the UK, and we’re incredibly proud that Drumroots has the opportunity to host him here in Manchester.
For us, this weekend represents years of listening, learning and admiration coming full circle—from studying the music of Fadouba Oulare and discovering Sekouba’s incredible playing, to rehearsing with Jeremy from Djembe-AWA, performing alongside Sekouba at the Music Worldwide Drum Camp, and finally welcoming him to Manchester to share his knowledge with the Drumroots community.
Whether you’re picking up a djembe for the very first time or you’ve been immersed in traditional West African rhythms for years, we hope you’ll join us for what promises to be a truly unforgettable weekend of learning, inspiration and community.
