Les Rosettes
Les Rosettes stands as a revolutionary force in Senegalese music, the first-ever all-women drum group in Senegal. Created by legendary master drummer Doudou Ndiaye Rose, this ensemble consists primarily of his daughters and granddaughters who shattered traditional gender barriers in sabar drumming, a domain historically exclusive to men.
My journey with this remarkable group represents one of the most meaningful chapters in my work with Senegalese drumming. My relationship with my close teacher Aly Ndiaye Rose, son of Doudou Ndiaye Rose and one of Senegal's greatest living master drummers of Sabar, has evolved beyond teacher and student. Together, we explore different artistic expressions within his family's rich musical heritage. Our collaboration with Les Rosettes emerged naturally from this shared creative process, allowing us to bring fresh interpretations to these traditional forms while honoring their essence.
Our first collaboration took place in 2023 on the rooftop of Aly's house in Parcelles Assainies, Dakar. This intimate setting drew neighbors who gathered to listen to our music. We documented this special three-part session, released in 2023-2024, marking my first creative project with Les Rosettes.
In 2024, our collaboration reached a milestone with our performance at the St. Louis Jazz Festival in northern Senegal. We showcased Doudou Ndiaye Rose's compositions alongside contemporary arrangements of traditional rhythms, fusing my "One Man Tribe" approach with the synchronized precision of Les Rosettes, led by Aly Ndiaye Rose.
THE STORY
Les Rosettes stands as a revolutionary force in Senegalese music, the first-ever all-women drum group in Senegal. Created by legendary master drummer Doudou Ndiaye Rose, this ensemble consists primarily of his daughters and granddaughters who shattered traditional gender barriers in sabar drumming, a domain historically exclusive to men.
My journey with this remarkable group represents one of the most meaningful chapters in my work with Senegalese drumming. My relationship with my close teacher Aly Ndiaye Rose, son of Doudou Ndiaye Rose and one of Senegal's greatest living master drummers of Sabar, has evolved beyond teacher and student. Together, we explore different artistic expressions within his family's rich musical heritage. Our collaboration with Les Rosettes emerged naturally from this shared creative process, allowing us to bring fresh interpretations to these traditional forms while honoring their essence.
Our first collaboration took place in 2023 on the rooftop of Aly's house in Parcelles Assainies, Dakar. This intimate setting drew neighbors who gathered to listen to our music. We documented this special three-part session, released in 2023-2024, marking my first creative project with Les Rosettes.
In 2024, our collaboration reached a milestone with our performance at the St. Louis Jazz Festival in northern Senegal. We showcased Doudou Ndiaye Rose's compositions alongside contemporary arrangements of traditional rhythms, fusing my "One Man Tribe" approach with the synchronized precision of Les Rosettes, led by Aly Ndiaye Rose.
