Jeremy Tomasck — Djembe Specialist, Percussion Luthier & Founder of Djembe AWA
A Passion Born in Guinea
Jeremy Tomasck's relationship with the djembe began not in a classroom or music shop but through direct immersion in the rhythmic traditions of West Africa. His years of study with Guinean masters, including work closely tied to the tradition of Mamady Keita, gave him not only technical mastery of the instrument but also a deep understanding of the cultural context from which it emerges. This first-hand knowledge of both the playing tradition and the instrument-making process is the foundation on which Djembe AWA was built. Jeremy knows how a great djembe should sound like, and knows how to build one.
From Player
to Luthier
Over two and a half decades of practicing, learning, teaching, and collecting djembes, Jeremy Tomasck developed a parallel expertise as a percussion luthier—the craft of constructing, adjusting, and repairing musical instruments. This expertise encompasses the full lifecycle of a djembe: from shell selection in Guinea through skin fitting and rope tensioning in Belgium to repair and restoration of instruments at any stage of their playing life. Every djembe sold through Djembe AWA has passed through Jeremy's hands personally—inspected, assembled, tuned, and tested before it leaves the workshop.
Contact us with your specifications for a personalized quote.
Mamady Keita,
A Collaboration of Trust
The collaboration between Jeremy Tomasck and the late Mamady Keita, one of the greatest djembefolas in history, represents the highest endorsement of the quality and authenticity of Djembe AWA instruments. The Mamady Keita Signature Series was developed through direct collaboration, with each instrument meeting Mamady Keita's personal standards for tone and craftsmanship. This relationship, and the ongoing collaboration with Sidiki Dembele, reflects Jeremy Tomasck's standing within the global West African percussion community.
Djembe AWA,
The Vision
Djembe AWA exists to make the world's finest West African djembes accessible to musicians, collectors, and enthusiasts across Europe and beyond, while providing the expert repair, maintenance, and custom assembly service that serious instruments deserve. Based in Belgium and serving the world, Djembe AWA is the reference for premium djembe instruments in Europe: a bridge between the craftsmen of Guinea and the musicians of the world.
Djembe Wood Types - Belgium & Europe
We provide a professional complete guide to the woods used in AWA djembes: Lenke, Bala, Kolo Kolo, Melina, and Dugura. Sound characteristics, density, and origin. European shipping.
Contact/Repair
Have a question? Need a quote? Need to fix djembe/dunun/any drums...? Or do you simply want an upgrade?
Simply let us know and we will get back to you soon as we can.
jeremy.tomasck@hotmail.com / Brussels, Belgium