Saboula Bangoura
I began my journey in African drumming with Saboula Bangoura. After years of playing a standard drum set, I decided to dive into West African drumming and studied under the highly respected master from West Africa who was living in Karkur, Israel. After two years of intense learning in Israel, I traveled with Saboula to The Gambia, West Africa, where I was exposed for the first time to the immense power of the African continent.
On our second trip, we encountered a challenging situation that led us to cross the border into Senegal. That twist of fate led me to discover my true calling in Senegalese drumming. I immersed myself in the world of traditional Senegalese rhythms, starting a new chapter with my Senegalese teacher, Aly Ndiaye Rose. At that point, Saboula and I naturally parted ways as teacher and student in a practical sense, yet Saboula's influence was always present.
Now, after 16 years, Saboula and I have reunited in creation. Our connection creates a virtuosic intercultural dialogue, and the age gap between us adds a fascinating tension between tradition and innovation. Although most of my playing outside of Africa is in a solo format which I call One Man Tribe, there's nothing I like more than to accompany my teacher, setting the space for him to express and improvise.
Saboula, now in his 60s, belongs to a vanishing generation of veteran West African musicians with a rare old-school approach that is almost impossible to find today, in Africa or anywhere else. His deep understanding of drumming as a form of communication, combined with his experience in leadership, composition, and accompanying African ballet ensembles, forms the foundation of his unique and creative drumming style.
In his youth, he traveled and performed across West Africa, learning rhythms from different tribes and immersing himself in various cultures. This journey shaped his distinctive voice, marked by deep listening, minimalism, and innovation. As a respected master and teacher, he has trained and guided hundreds of students from around the world, sharing his unique approach and the rich repertoire he has developed and composed.
THE STORY
I began my journey in African drumming with Saboula Bangoura. After years of playing a standard drum set, I decided to dive into West African drumming and studied under the highly respected master from West Africa who was living in Karkur, Israel. After two years of intense learning in Israel, I traveled with Saboula to The Gambia, West Africa, where I was exposed for the first time to the immense power of the African continent.
On our second trip, we encountered a challenging situation that led us to cross the border into Senegal. That twist of fate led me to discover my true calling in Senegalese drumming. I immersed myself in the world of traditional Senegalese rhythms, starting a new chapter with my Senegalese teacher, Aly Ndiaye Rose. At that point, Saboula and I naturally parted ways as teacher and student in a practical sense, yet Saboula's influence was always present.
Now, after 16 years, Saboula and I have reunited in creation. Our connection creates a virtuosic intercultural dialogue, and the age gap between us adds a fascinating tension between tradition and innovation. Although most of my playing outside of Africa is in a solo format which I call One Man Tribe, there's nothing I like more than to accompany my teacher, setting the space for him to express and improvise.
Saboula, now in his 60s, belongs to a vanishing generation of veteran West African musicians with a rare old-school approach that is almost impossible to find today, in Africa or anywhere else. His deep understanding of drumming as a form of communication, combined with his experience in leadership, composition, and accompanying African ballet ensembles, forms the foundation of his unique and creative drumming style.
In his youth, he traveled and performed across West Africa, learning rhythms from different tribes and immersing himself in various cultures. This journey shaped his distinctive voice, marked by deep listening, minimalism, and innovation. As a respected master and teacher, he has trained and guided hundreds of students from around the world, sharing his unique approach and the rich repertoire he has developed and composed.
