Bamako, MALI

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About Us

Founded in 1999 by Jeremy Chevrier (with inspiration from master djembefola Abdoulaye Diakite) in San Francisco, CA.  Rootsy Records is a cultural preservation and promotional project centrally located in Bamako, Mali. RootsyRecords.com is the fruit of this project, hosting educational multimedia, drumming information, and authentic products pertaining to West African traditional djembe music and culture.

Mission:

The mission of Rootsy Records is the cultural preservation and promotion of traditional djembe drumming music, which includes the preservation and promotion of African culture, knowledge and values.

Current Projects:

1. Webcasting of Traditional African Ceremonies-  Through the sharing of live video footage direct from West Africa people can have a direct multimedia experience of traditional djembe drumming in its natural context.  This helps attract attention to the djembe culture and teaches those who are interested in learning more about the djembe.  The more attention the djembe culture receives the more it will remain intact and strong.

2. Research and Documentation-  Rootsy Records is currently researching the history and knowledge relating to the djembe and its various songs and rhythms in Mali, West Africa.  We currently have over 30 hours of video footage of African ceremonies and over 30 hours of audio interviews and lectures by djembe masters.

3. Webcasting Djembe Educational Videos- We film and post streaming videos of various djembe rhythms and dance steps.  This allows people direct access to learning information online.  There are many people throughout the world who do not have direct access to teachers in their hometowns.

4. Organizing Study Trips to West Africa- Rootsy Records has worked with master djembefola Abdoulaye Diakite to construct a large compound in Tambacounda, Senegal devoted to the study of traditional djembe drumming and dancing.  This compound is like an international center for djembe learning based in Tambacounda, Senegal.  We also organize custom learning trips to Mali, since we are based in Bamako, Mali.

5. Promotion for African Djembe Players and Dancers- Rootsy Records also works in many ways to promote local artists in Africa and those who have left and are trying to earn a living abroad teaching djembe drumming or dance.  This is another way to promote the tradition of djembe drumming.  If the new generation of youth in Africa see that playing djembe or learning the dance can actually earn a decent living, more of the younger generation will take interest in their culture once again.

6. Audio CD Production- Rootsy Records has always believed in recording the old masters before they pass on.  It is important to have audio recordings of the masters for the next generation to listen to.  This can prevent the true djembe culture from being lost.  These audio recordings can act as a reference point of culture for the new generation.

7. Posting Djembe Video Clips in the Broader Public Domain-  We have been posting djembe video clips to the YouTube website for example.  Rootsy Records believes that if more people worldwide have a chance to see authentic djembe drumming this will generate more interest in the djembe and African culture worldwide.  This is a main part of our cultural promotional efforts.

8. The Djembe as an Instrument of Spiritual Transformation-  We here at Rootsy Records believe that the djembe drum is a bringer of spiritual transformation on this planet.  Through the study of djembe drumming and dancing we can transform into more enlightened beings and a more enlightened planet as a whole.  After all, the djembe is not just about the beating of a drum...

Funding:

1. Currently all Rootsy Records projects are funded solely from profits from our online shop.   If you want to support our work please purchase something from our shop.  We appreciate your support!

Rootsy Records central office is located in Bamako-Mali.