Sidiki Dembélé moved to the UK in October 2009, to live in Manchester, after a two and a half year stint touring Europe with Afrika!Afrika! He’s acknowledged throughout the UK in drumming circles as one of the top African percussionists in the country – an inspiring and charismatic entertainer with an explosive and thrilling style. Born in Abidjan, the commercial capital of Cote d'Ivoire, Sidiki D
embélé is the second son of a Griot family. The Griot tradition is one which has spanned centuries of civilisation in West Africa, and has been passed down through the generations, carrying with it an ancient culture of story-telling, communication and celebration. In West African culture, the Griot family has traditionally been responsible for carrying news, folklore and diplomacy between villages, nomadic tribes, kings and warriors, using dance, music and song. Historically, the power of performance in this most ancient of civilisations has been echoed throughout the nations of the world; and perhaps the most evocative and emotive instrument in routing enemies, communicating with allies and rousing nations to unity is the drum. Raised in a family whose generations have been steeped and driven by these traditions, from the age of fourteen Sidiki has played percussion instruments professionally and in particular the Djembe drum of West Africa, to herald and celebrate significant events in the life of his community in Abidjan. He has taught adults and children to play and shared his passion for music with them, his enthusiasm and dedication an intoxicating source of inspiration to those who meet him and who see him perform.
