Malik Sow

Teaches at Motherland Music

Malik Sow (pron. "Soh") from Dakar, Senegal, as a young boy, Malik studied with master drummer Doussou Koulibaly and dancer Karounga Sakho. In 1970 Sow was lead drummer in the Ballet d'Afrique Noire; three years later he became the Musical Director for the Ballet National du Senegal, a position he held for ten years. Sow has traveled worldwide sharing his knowledge of West African culture and his musical abilities, and we are delighted to host his Wednesday and Saturday weekly classes at Motherland Music. Malik also drums at top regional dance studios and in special appearances and has been a featured and beloved educator in both Los Angeles and Orange County school arts programs for many years. He has acted in, consulted and composed music for films (notably Stephen Spielberg's Amistad [and Richard Jenkins's The Visitor]). Malik's affable manner is guaranteed to make you smile and feel better about yourself, and he can definitely help you to improve your drumming, whatever your level of ability, beginner to pro. Malik's Wednesday class focuses on fundamentals like mastering bass, tone, and slap sounds on djembe, and authentic traditional Malinke dance rhythms, Senegal style.