Noumody Keita - djembe master

Noumody Keita was one of Guineas biggest djembe masters. Born in 1948 in Kouroussa, Guinea. At the age of 18 he was selected to play for Les Ballets Africains and toured the world with them for 20 years.

In 1987 he was one of 7 percussionists who formed the prestigious ensemble, Percussions de Guinee, becoming its leader. He was a patriot who enjoyed his success abroad but chose to remain in Guinea and live a simple life. He was a modest man, a true Malinke djembe master, one of the grand masters of the djembe.

Noumody died on 22 June, 1995, aged 47 years, after a short illness. His death marked the end of an era, with the remaining grandmasters all past their 50s and the old tradition of apprenticeship disappearing. Noumody's presence on stage was epic. He would allow all the others to solo and then take a short solo right at the end, having nothing much to prove. However, his playing was so magnificent as to leave his audience spellbound.

He embodied ease of playing, clean sound and a definitive musical style as he built up the tension to a crescendo, ending it with a call only to retreat back to accompaniment.

His legacy continues.