hi from Paris ... France !!!!!!

[michel weelen]

Hello everybody ......
I'm very pleased to find this community-forum .... Hope you will excuse my english ....

I'm 52 years old french musician who discovered djembe in the early 80's ... It was a stroke & at that time in france there where less than 10 persons playing ... In 84, i made my second trip to Africa went to Guinée & met Mamady, famoudou & many others, stayed there for 9 months ... My "career" brought me to be the Director off Tam-Tam Mandingue Paris, to tour with Mamady in the States ...
We stopped working together after the recording off "Mogobalu" in Conakry ...
I am know teaching in two music- schools & stopped more or less performing ....

As a European pionner off this instrument, i'm pleased to see how big it became ... and i wish to all the djembe lovers to get as much pleasure as i got .... but remember "there always be some one faster & louder then you" .... As Famoudou said "don't forget the melody" .....

Love !!!!

[Dugafola]

Welcome!

[bops]

Soyez le bienvenu. Welcome to the forum, Michel.

I've spent a lot of time in Paris, it's like my second home. Although it's been a while since I've been back. It's a beautiful city with so much happening, especially in the arts and African music.

Please tell us more about your experiences with Mamady. I'd love to hear about the recording of Mogobalu. It's one of my favorite albums.

[rachelnguyen]

Bienvenu, Michel!

It is great to hear from someone with so much experience with the djembe. I am a newcomer and have only been studying for 2.5 years. There is much to learn!

I have never been to France, but would love to visit someday. In the mean time,

a bientôt!

Rachel

[James]

Hey Michel,
You're very welcome... I'm also very interested in hearing more about your experiences.

It'd be great to meet up, next time I'm in Paris. Perhaps at the end of March...

[michel weelen]

hi all thanks for your warm welcome ... i'll be glad to share what ever with you guys ....

Here is a question for you all .... I see Mahiri's name evrywhere ... can some one give him this link, i'd like to speak with him .... We met in 94/95 in Bruxelles & went to Guinéa together, he was there too for the recording off Mogobalu ....

Thanks

[michel weelen]

@ James
i suppose you have my @mail adress, so let me know when ur in Paris ....

c u