Who we are
Stephan Rigert
Stephan Rigert has made a name for himself far beyond the Swiss borders as an innovative pioneer of percussion music. Study trips to Africa, South America and the USA laid the foundation for his solid career as musician, project manager, producer and author.
Under his label “Talking-Drums” he launched numerous top-class stage projects and toured Europe for many years with them. Stephan Rigert wrote eight teachbooks for percussion music and served as an examination expert at the Lucerne University of Music.
“Stephan Rigert’s dealings with the African traditions of drumming are both pedagogical and also in the artistic context trend-setting in Europe.”
Prof. Udo Dahmen, drummer, professor at the Hamburg University of Music
Manuel Siebs
Manuel Siebs’ life has revolved around rhythms and percussion instruments since his earliest childhood. At the age of 19, a close collaboration with musicians from Senegal developed. Five study trips to West Africa and two university degrees in Switzerland followed.
As a sought-after live and studio musician, Manuel Siebs works with various bands throughout Europe. He leads numerous courses and workshops for various institutions. (Lucerne University of Music, Zurich University of the Arts, Zurich Conservatory Music School, Zug University of Education, Thurgau University of Education, school and further education in Switzerland and many more.)
Master of Arts in Music Pedagogy (percussion)
Lucerne University of Music
Master of Arts in Music Pedagogy (school music)
Zurich University of the Arts
Ibou Ndiaye
Ibou comes from a well-known and large family of drummers from Senegal. His grandfather Doudou Ndiaye Rose is a master of the traditional Sabar drum. He has worked with Miles Davis and the Rolling Stones, among others. Kissima Diabate, Ibou’s uncle, is a master of the djembe drum and also enjoys a high reputation in Senegal. With these family influences, Ibou grew up to become an extremely virtuoso musician. He has played numerous tours and concerts with various projects all over the world. Ibou has been an integral part of drum events for 20 years and enriches the events with his musical skills and his infectious joie de vivre.
Sadio Cissokho
Sadio Cissokho has been surrounded by music, song and dance since he was born. His family was particularly fond of playing the traditional West African kora (African harp) and the djembe drum. Sadio was also introduced to the art of music-making by his father and brothers. At the age of just 10, he was able to gain his first performance experience with the group ‘Ninki Nanka’. This was followed by concerts in Gambia and Senegal. In 2006, Sadio Cissokho became a soloist with the ‘Ballet Silaba de Thiaroye 44’ and performed at festivals in Africa and China. He also leads workshops in Senegal, Spain and Switzerland. Further engagements followed at the ‘Ecole de Sable’ (school for African dance and contemporary dance) in Senegal and as a member of his brother Ablaye Cissokho’s band with numerous concerts in Senegal, Gambia and Europe.
Nago Sene
As a member of the Saf Sap group, he was born into the world of West African drumming. He is an extremely virtuoso drummer and dancer. With his motivating, funny and captivating manner, he always manages to inspire people. From kindergarten to old age, Nago picks them all up. He not only impresses with his drumming skills but also with his pedagogical expertise.
Network
Stephan Rigert traveled the world for over 40 years, immersing himself as a percussionist in the musical and rhythmic expressions of various cultures. This led to numerous cultural exchange projects and collaborations with artists such as Rhani Krisha (Sting), Anindo Chatterjee (Ravi Shankar), Tjaco Sadiah (Miriam Makeba), Moriba Koita (Mory Kanté), Cindy Blackman (Carlos Santana), and many more. Additionally, he, along with all other members of the Drumevents team, spent many years as professional musicians in bands of various genres (Pop, Funk, Latin Jazz, Jazz, World Music, etc.), touring across Switzerland and throughout Europe. From this experience, a valuable network emerged, which we can always rely on with Drumevents. So don't hesitate to reach out to us, even with unconventional ideas. We love a creative challenge!
Our Values
Competence
Under the guidance of internationally successful coaches, who themselves have been deeply immersed in the subject as professional artists for many years, we enable your team to have an unforgettable rhythm and music experience. Whether for team development, kick-off meetings, company anniversaries or private events, Drumevents guarantees you team power, success and fun!
We demand the highest professional competence, authenticity and “living joy of playing” from ourselves. What also distinguishes us are many years of international experience, a sophisticated concept, humour, charisma and rhetorical skills, which successfully aim to encourage all participants to “play along” with ease. On the one hand, we work systematically and purposefully, but at the same time we promote a playful, humorous workshop atmosphere in which “falling out of rhythm” or “discord” are not a problem. This makes it possible for your team to independently interpret a polyphonic drum or music piece in a surprisingly short time. And it is precisely this unique experience (of being a supporting member of an orchestra) that guarantees enthusiasm and positive “resonance”.
You will not hear any textbook motivational phrases from us. We also distance ourselves from animation events on the level of a tourist party at the hotel pool. Hobby coaches who are only superficially familiar with the subject matter are just as taboo with us as any form of finger-pointing didactics, sandbox psychology or esoteric feel-good drumming.