photo: Lee Ann Perry

Michael J. Taylor, Director of the Tam Tam Mandingue-Chicago School of Percussion will bring a mix of percussion instruments and drums for this year’s Workshop. Teacher, entrepreneur, videorecording artist, and performer, he has studied, performed, and/or recorded with a wide range of artists and organizations from West Africa, North America, and Europe. He was the first in the world to receive the Tam Tam Mandingue Diploma, the highest degree, from master drummer Mamady Keita. His instruments include djembe, dounun, bugaraboo, congas, frame drum, bongos, and doumbek.

Michael focuses on the relationship between the individual and rhythm/drumming. By way of traditional West African or non-traditional styles, he demonstrates the universality of rhythm in everything he does. He teaches both children and adults; he has also done “drum therapy” and healing work (DruMeditation) with adults and at-risk groups. He has produced both performance CDs and instructional DVDs, and he has performed with many musicians including Yo Yo Ma and his Silk Road Project, vocalist Omou Sangare from Mali, and Michael Miles.

Mr. Taylor is the owner of Holy Goat Percussion, which specializes in the sales of authentic, hand-crafted West African instruments, djembe/dounun repairs and maintenance, and performances. He has taught in many places including the Merit School of Music and the Old Town School of Folk Music.

For more information about Michael J. Taylor, visit Holy Goat Percussion!