Doudou N'diaye Rose

Doudou N'Diaye Rose was called the "Jimi Hendrix of the drum skin." A virtuoso percussionist and master of the tam tam or sabar drum, Rose proved equally effective whether playing with a small ensemble or a symphony orchestra. He performed with the National Ballet and National Orchestra of Senegal, and established his own music school, a groundbreaking institution that, contrary to Senegalese tradition, accepted female students. Performing with his troupe on world stages beginning in the mid-'80s, Rose also became known to Western audiences through appearances with the likes of Miles Davis, Peter Gabriel, and the Rolling Stones. His 1994 Real World label album Djabote, produced by Eric Serra, featured 50 drummers and 80 singers. Born to a Wolof family, Rose inherited the status of griot or oral historian. Rose was reportedly the father of 38 children.
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