CURRICULUM VITAE
Leader and multi-instrumentalist who brings out the social genius of West African rhythm as a trainer, speaker and coach.
Awards and nominations
- Master’s Thesis Award “The Best degree work of the Year”, comparative religion, University of Helsinki 2007
- Temenos award for the master’s thesis of the year, Finnish Society for the Study of Religion 2007
- Shared first price, Landaya, percussionist, AfroZig -festival, Burkina Faso 2010
- Honorable mention for documentary film In the Blood: Portrait of a Griot on African master drummer Zoumana Dembele, co-director and researcher, Kinos05 Short Film Festival 2005
- Thalia award for music-shadow-theatre-fire elements -performance Tulilintu for children of East Helsinki, musician in collaboration with Nukketeatteri Sampo and Tulikansa 2013
Trainer, coach and teacher
- Drum Vision oy | Social innovation and change in organisations | leader coach and trainer | CEO and owner 2024
- Talking Drum | leadership and team development CEO, COB and co-founder 2014―2023 | Trademark owner 2023―
- Djembepaja | West African art promotion center, leader, teacher and owner 2009―
- Paukepiiri (drum circle) leader for instructor training 2015―
- African drumming teacher at Käpylä Music Institution 2009―2019
- Djembe drum trainer in Finland and Estonia incl. University of Arts Helsinki 2000―
Education and apprenticeship
- SFiO certified solution focused coach 2023
- Solution focused leadership coach, HY+, Helsinki 2022-23
- NVC trainer, Savannah Connexions, Helsinki, Finland 2017―2018
- NLP practitioner, NLP Academy, Espoo, Finland 2017
- Apprentice, collaborator and manager for African master drummer 2003―
- Studies in djembe music with master drummers in West Africa, Europe and USA 1996―
- Master of Arts (awarded), comparative religion and ethnomusicology, University of Helsinki 1998―2008
Artist
- On stage and projects with Jimi Tenor, Remu Aaltonen, Michael Monroe, Tony Allen, Julius Orlando, Jhikoman, Mamady Keita, Zoumana Dembele, Jorma Tapio, Pekka Myllykoski, Sami Saari…
- Resident live percussionist for clubs AAH! Amapiano & Afro House and Tropical Splash with Pascal Morais, Donn Stone, DJ Cheza, Joseysradios, DJ AC, Didier Vits, MK Di Slang, Dj Hermanni, DJ Goodblood, MC Enoch Gyasi, DJ Hamm, DJ Nikson, DJ Magic Sam, DJ Bunuel…
- Bands include Aakusti electro | african (solo 2020―), Paradox Box electro | free jazz | african | multimedia (co-founder 2018―), Zoumana Dembele & Mande Maja Band west african trad. (co-leader, co-founder 2009―2017), Landaya west african trad., Aiyekooto Afrobeat International afrobeat (2009―2017), Vagabon Tribe pop | african, Arbusia reggae | soukous | hiphop (2013―2017), Faso Kan west african trad. (co-founder 2005―2010), Trokoto! west african trad. (co- founder 2000―2005)
- Event host, speaker and amateur theatre actor 1993―
Publications and releases
- Article Match Made in Heaven: African Rhythm and Solution Focused Coaching, Ratkes magazine 2024 (read here)
- Article Interaction With African Rhythm, Uniarts 2024 (read here)
- Documentary film In the Blood: Portrait of a Griot, updated version 2025 (watch here)
- Oeuvre Hyperfocus, Paradox Box, composer, musician, arranger 2024 (watch here)
- EP Multilayered Me, Aakusti, composer, musician, arranger, forthcoming 2025
- Song releases, Paradox Box, co-composer, musician and co-producer 2019 ―
- Album Maja, Zoumana Dembele & Mande Maja Band, musician, co-mixer, co-producer 2016
- Album Olurombi, Aiyekooto Afrobeat International, musician 2013
- EP Vagabon Tribe Finland, Vagabon Tribe, musician 2013
- Feat. on album Afro-American-Arctic, Rhythm Funk Masters, musician 2007
- Articles on djembe tradition, JaSeSoi et als. 2007―
