A reknowned djembefola sharing his music with the world
The musician who gives the djembe its voice. In the hands of a master, a drum comes alive. It sings, laughs, whispers, and electrifies its audience. For more than 25 years, Sidy has shared the wonder of drumming with students and audiences around the world.
What is a Djembefola?
Musical Styles
Sidy’s expertise in traditional Malian and West African music was just the beginning of his professional musical journey. He employs global rhythms that are as expressive as they are joyful.
Sidy collaborates regularly with local and international musicians, curating impressive festivals that shine a spotlight on African music and its evolution throughout the Diaspora.
Biography
Sidy Maïga began drumming with master djembefolas as a teen in his native Mali, refining his voice in this ancestral cultural tradition. Sidy made for a quick study, and began touring professionally with well-known national acts such as Troupe Artistique de Bamako and the Fakoli Percussion Troupe.
Since moving to Rhode Island in 2006, Sidy has become a regular on the music scene. Beloved in the community not only for his traditional Malian music, but for his seamless blending into latin, blues, and brazilian drumming traditions–even accompanying house music DJs! His talent and passion bring him throughout New England and the world.
Since 2009, Sidy has celebrated African Music’s roots by producing the West African Dance and Drum Festival: Afrika Nyaga. A premiere festival in Providence, Rhode Island, this annual event brings together both local and international musicians and dancers to perform in Rhode Island.
In January of 2011, Sidy recorded and released his first album Malidén, and was awarded the prestigious MacColl-Johnson Fellowship in 2012. He has also been the recipient of numerous grants and fellowships from RISCA.
In 2014, he recorded and released his second album Africa United which includes musicians from across the world, including Grammy Award winner Oumou Sangaré. In this album, Sidy approaches traditional African styles from a position of global celebration. Pursuing a higher education, Sidy graduated Cum Laude from Berklee College of Music in 2020 with a focus in production, business and arranging.
In addition to performing, Sidy teaches djembe and dundun drumming to students at schools and universities throughout the country. Teaching at institutions such as Bradley Hospital and RI Hospital has also demonstrated the theraputic effects of his practice.
