Mamady Keita Signature Series
The Grand Master's Djembe
Every piece of work from the Mamady Keïta Series is created from the heart.
From extra aged wood, careful selection of the best piece, experienced craftsmanship and detailed assembly of each element, each djembe only gets the stamp from the djembe maker when he is satisfied.
All prices in €
About Mamady Keita
The Legend of the Djembe
Mamady Keita (1950–2021) was one of the greatest djembefolas of all time, a Guinean master whose influence on the global spread of West African percussion is unparalleled. From his school Tam Tam Mandingue in Belgium to tours across five continents, Mamady Keita brought the djembe to concert halls, rhythm camps, and percussion communities worldwide.
His collaboration with Jeremy Tomasck and Djembe AWA resulted in the Mamady Keita Signature Series, a collection of premium Lenke and Bala wood djembes selected and approved by the master himself during his lifetime. Each instrument represents his exacting standards for tone, projection and shell quality.
The MK Series — Specifications
Every Mamady Keita Signature Series djembe is carved from premium Guinea Lenke (Afzelia africana) and Bala (Pterocarpus erinaceus), selected for maximum density and resonance. The shells are shaped in Guinea by craftsmen working to Jeremy Tomasck’s original specifications approved by Mamady Keita, then shipped to Belgium where Jeremy Tomasck personally assembles and quality-checks each instrument.
• Wood: Guinea Lenke (Afzelia africana) / Bala (Pterocarpus erinaceus), premium grade, individually selected
• Skin: Selected African goat skin, medium to thick grade for stage performance
• Rings: Stainless steel, shaped to exact shell diameter
• Ropes: High-resistance polyester, 4 mm doubled for the loops and 5 or 5,5 mm for the verticals
• Available diameters: 33cm to 37cm
• Seal of authenticity: Mamady Keita Signature Series certification