Djembe Diyamu
Founded 2016
Djembe Diyamu is WDC’s advanced West African drum ensemble.
They play traditional music and pay careful attention to the cultural context and history of the songs. Djembe Diyamu (DD) educates and enriches events with their high-energy performances. All gender identities are welcome.
Ensemble Director: Dan Engebretson
Rehearsals: Sundays, 11:45am - 1:45pm
Prerequisite: DD is an advanced drumming ensemble. Drumming experience is required. Taking Dan’s West African Level 1 class will satisfy this prerequisite.
Cost: $20 per rehearsal
DD at the 2026 annual concert.
Dan Engebretson
Dan Engebretson has been an active member of the Twin Cities hand drumming scene for the past 20 years. His passion is studying and playing traditional West African djembe and djundjun rhythms, and for over 15 years he has taken lessons and workshops with such notables as Guinean drummers Mamady Keita, Famoudou Konate', Fode' Bangoura, Sekou Conde, Abdoul Doumbia from Mali, and many other drummers from Guinea, Mali, Ivory Coast, and Senegal. He is a member of Mamady Keita's Tam Tam Mandingue Djembe Academy, a detailed and comprehensive curriculum designed to train teachers on the knowledge of Malinke rhythms. He also studies traditional "village-style" drumming from the teachings of Malian drum master Sega Sidibe'. Additionally, Dan has studied with various U.S. drummers including Michael Markus, Paulo Mattioli, and locals Kenne Thomas and Brian Van Tassel.
Aside from his love of music, Dan also studies all aspects of traditional West African culture and enjoys books, wine, and travel.
DD after a fund-raiser event in 2025.