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.

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."

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.

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 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.

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 Director of A3D.

MAMADOU would also like to thank:

• Susan Dodge for managing the band from 1998-present.
• Susan Sillars for promoting the band from 1998-2002.
• 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)
• Alan Hezekiah - Percussionist (djembe)
  
• Mamadi Diarra - Percussionist (djun-djun, timbale)
• Jefferey Clayton - Instrumentalist (steel pan, trumpet)
• Grayson Farmer - Instrumentalist (trumpet)