Marin Spivack, a native of Massachusetts, began playing saxophone in his late teens with the encouragement of his tenor playing neighbor, Scott Shetler.  He later went on to study improvisational music from composer and trumpeter, Bill Dixon, and from percussion scientist, Milford Graves at Bennington College.  After that followed many years of performing in reggae, African, Afro-Cuban, standard and 'free-jazz' environments, as well as in streets and clubs around the world from the USA to France to China.

Marin has honed a unique and personal improvisational jazz language that weaves American jazz and other flavors into the complex African tapestry of the band MAMADOU.

Contact Marin 

Stephen Silbert has professionally performed big band jazz in the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, wearing a tuxedo, as well as punk rock and hardcore in East Coast and Canadian dives, donning only a diaper and work boots. While living in San Francisco, alt-folk-rocker Mary Lou Lord had Sony records fly him to L.A. to record a single. After returning to the Boston area where he had graduated from the New England Conservatory of Music, Stephen finished recording an album of his original power-pop while performing small-ensemble jazz at North Shore institutions such as The Peabody Essex Museum and Castle Hill Estates.  From time to time, you will find him cranking out the West African World Fusion of MAMADOU!

Diouck (pronounced "Juke") brings with him the traditions of West Africa, which he graciously shares through his performance with the band.  Having assimilated centuries of history through storytelling and performance, handed down generation after generation through his griot family, Diouck adds another dimension of African culture through his performance on the sabar and tama (talking drum, the national instrument of Senegal).

Pavel came to America from Czechoslavakia in the early '80s, having honed his talent in the underground music scene. In his former country, musicians had to get a permit to start a band, and their music was heavily censored by the government. In Yugoslavia with a tourist group, Pavel fled his native country, eventually making his way to the United States.

Having played guitar for over 10 years with MAMADOU, Pavel found some reminders of his home country, saying he is amazed at how similar African harmonies are to Czech folk music.

Gracing the stage with his wide range of electric sound, Pavel draws the audience members in with his sweet solos and then revs them up with his vivacious guitar licks.  Pavel still enjoys joining us on the stage from time to time.

Erik performed hundreds of shows with us from 2002 to 2006.  He contributed his technical and artistic skills with not only his music, but also with art and web design.

In his quest to pursue a career in teaching music to children, Erik has enrolled fulltime as a student at Salem State College.  We know he will do well following his dreams.  As Erik put it, for him, nothing is more satisfying than that moment when, as a teacher, he gives a student that one little thing that brings about a complete understanding of the subject at hand.

For more about Erik, check out http://www.erikmillett.com/.

Jenn performed with the band MAMADOU hundreds of times, all around the New England area from Maine to Vermont to Connecticut and back again.  Though she has stepped down as a full-time member of the band, she continues to participate with our group on other endeavors, including as a member of A3D.

Peter Barr is originally from Chicago, IL. He mastered many styles of music such as Reggae, Salsa and Jazz while studying music at Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA.

While attending Berklee, he also studied African Rhythms with many Master Drummers throughout the Boston Area. He had played for several years in various school systems with Mamadou Diop teaching African Rhythm and Culture before joining the band MAMADOU in 2003 as a backup drummer.

A former Berklee College of Music student, Erik Kaszynski found the best education in music can be learned on the road. He has performed with numerous well known blues acts (including Eddie Kirkland) before joining MAMADOU in 2003.

Erik has learned the fundamentals of Senegalese rhythms from Ibrahima Camara and Mamadou Diop, as well as having studied with other master drummers in the Boston area. Always willing to give back what he gets, Erik has been active in teaching the drum kit, often returning to his own high school to help inspire the next generation of musicians.

Peter was instrumental in bringing the band together. Mamadou Diop was introduced to Pavel and Ted through Peter at a private party. The four of them jammed up a storm. However, Peter was unable to commit to the band full time initially. When John left the band in 2000 to pursue other projects, Peter stepped back in to fill the bass position.

John was the original Bassist for MAMADOU (then Mamadou Diop and the Jolole Band). John also ran sound for the band (while playing!) and engineered and performed on the band's first two CDs. John continues to work with the band as a producer and recording engineer through "Ringo Studios."

When Ibrahima Camara came to America from Senegal, he was one of the first to introduce Senegalese music to Massachusetts through African Drum and Dance. Over the years, he has performed with Stevie Wonder and saxophonist Pharoah Sanders. "Ibou" displays his immense talents on djembe, sabar and talking drum.

In 2002, Ibrahima moved to Seattle, WA, where he continues to perform and teach African Drum and Dance. Good luck Ibrahima.

MAMADOU would also like to thank:

• Susan Dodge for managing the band from 1998-present.
• Susan Sillars for promoting the band from 1998-2002 (may she rest in peace).
• Tracey Pfister for the original mamadou.com from 1998-2002.
• Jamey Smythe for playing djembe with the band 1998-2000.

We would also like to thank the following part-time performers for their dedication and support, and great musicianship that they offer to our performances:

• Rick Ashley - Percussionist (djembe, conga)
• Mohamed Joh Camara - Percussionist (djembe)
• Jefferey Clayton - Instrumentalist (steel pan, trumpet)
• Mamadi Diarra - Percussionist (djun-djun, timbale)
• Grayson Farmer - Instrumentalist (trumpet)
• Alan Hezekiah - Percussionist (djembe)