Pape Samory Seck

Pape Samory Seck is a Senegalese virtuoso percussionist, performer and lecturer whose work connects African rhythms with audiences around the world. Born into the well-known Seck griot family, he grew up in Dakar’s musicians’ district of Pikine and developed his craft at the Centre Culturel Blaise Senghor and École Nationale des Arts. His instruments include the djembe, doun doun, sabar, serouba, conga, bougarabou, asico and tama, also known as the talking drum.

Based in Germany since 1997, Seck performs across traditional and contemporary genres, including jazz, world music, pop and classical music. He founded or leads formations including Le Deggo, Seck Brothers, African Melody and Trio Dakar. Available performance formats range from solo and trio shows to a quartet and a full band of eight or more musicians. Seck also offers masterclasses, workshops, sessions and interviews, and teaches at the Detmold University of Music and Popakademie Baden-Württemberg. His career includes international tours, festival appearances and collaborations with musicians and ensembles.