Sidiki Dembélé: Lunchtime Concert

A multi-instrumentalist originally from the Ivory Coast, Sidiki comes from a celebrated Malian griot family of musicians, diplomats, and oral historians. Raised in the rich cultural traditions of his ancestors, he began his musical journey at the tender age of five. By the time he was ten, Sidiki was playing professionally at prestigious events, and by fourteen, he was traveling across West Africa, performing as part of various African ballet companies and leading as a musical director. Music is truly in his blood.

Sidiki’s heart belongs to the djembe, a drum he reveres as “a spiritual force, teaching us to live in peace, love, respect, humility, and tolerance.” His passion for the djembe has taken him around the world, where he is celebrated for his explosive and soul-stirring performances. Whether with the BBC Concert Orchestra, the Royal Shakespeare Company, or at the 2021 BBC Proms with the Manchester Collective, his performances transport audiences straight to the heart of West Africa. Sidiki’s talent also extends to theatre, where he composed and directed music for Giles Terera’s acclaimed The Meaning of Zong and collaborated with the Royal Ballet on a new South African choreography.

Now based in Manchester, UK, Sidiki continues to share his extraordinary talent globally, teaching workshops and masterclasses, and passing on his deep knowledge and love for African music. Sidiki’s passion for education is evident in his commitment to giving back. He founded a school in Côte d’Ivoire for disadvantaged children to learn traditional music, and the first graduates have now formed the self-sufficient group, Denifari. Twice a year, Sidiki leads immersive trips to his homeland, where students can learn djembe, dundun, and dance from griot masters in the heart of his family home.

| @sidikidjembekindom

An Access Guide for the Concert Hall can be found here.

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