Event

Massamba Diop is perhaps the world's most renowned master of the Tama, a talking drum from Senegal, West Africa. Most recently, Massamba has received much acclaim for his collaboration with composer Ludwig Goransson on Marvel's Black Panther soundtrack, which earned both a Grammy and Oscar in 2019 for “Best Original Score”. Providing the drumming for King Tchalla's theme music, Massamba is heard throughout the film whenever the title character makes an entrance. The music also accompanies the Black Panther character in Marvel’s Avengers: Infinity War. Massamba has recently performed with Mumford and Sons at the 2018 Blues du Fleuve Festival in Senegal, and on their 2016 tour, including an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. He is featured on two videos in Playing For Change's latest album Listen to the Music. In 2016, he launched the “Tamani Talking Drum” to the public with Remo Percussion, the first mass-produced Tama, a drum he helped design.

Massamba came into the limelight as lead percussionist and a founding member of Daande Lenol (The Voice of the People), the band of Senegalese super-star Baaba Maal. Over the past 40 years the group has been playing all over the world, working with many notable musical figures and releasing dozens of albums, including Firin' in Fouta, which was nominated for a Grammy for “Best World Music” in 1996. Massamba himself has also performed and/or recorded with the likes of James Brown, Carlos Santana, Herbie Hancock, Harry Belafonte, and Angelique Kidjo, to name a few. He appeared on Peter Gabriel's landmark release Passion, which won a Grammy in 1990. 

Cultural Diplomacy has also been a major part of Massamba’s work. With Baaba Maal, who himself has worked as a United Nations Cultural Emissary, he has performed at many major international events like the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony in Oslo, the 2012 Olympics in London, and even joined Stevie Wonder in 2009 to perform “Happy Birthday” for Nelson Mandela to close out Mandela Day at Radio City Music Hall. In 1993, Massamba and American percussionist Tony Vacca co- founded the Senegal-America project, a cultural exchange program which annually brings student and adult groups to Senegal to participate in educational, health care and artistic initiatives. In addition to releasing multiple albums featuring collaborations with Senegalese and American musicians, Massamba and Tony tour the Northeast each year with a variety of performances, school programs, and workshops, from their Northampton, MA base.

Massamba currently calls Columbus, Ohio home, but still travels frequently. He maintains regular involvement with several local and regional groups: a drum group Rhythm Café in Oakland; his own band Walo Walo, based in Portland, OR; and the world fusion group Surabhi Ensemble in Chicago.

Notes on Seating: The Jack London provides two options for ticket purchasers. Reserved Seating is purchased on a table-by-table basis in the central part of the venue and is only available for select shows. Seating in the General Admission section is limited, first come first served, and may be standing room only.