Alan’s quest for preserving tradition and imparting the cultural context of the music to his students lead him to Guinea, West Africa, where he met Master Drummer Famoudou Konaté, his personal teacher and master. Alan and Famoudou work together in a bond that has made a big difference in their lives and the lives of many others. Without Famoudou, “I would not understand the djembe at all! – only a handful of players really know djembe and they are not the people that come up in conversation.”

Alan now travels regularly to Guinea for inspiration and knowledge from the source. He is the first to bring Master Drummer Famoudou Konaté to Boston to teach traditional Malinké rhythms to our growing community.

Alan includes song, dance, movement, cultural relevance and traditional spirituality of rhythms where appropriate. ‘The drum and the dance are never separated. The song and the reason one sings need to be understood and honored, always.’

In Africa, the birthplace of rhythm, Alan finds himself in a rare and beautiful situation. His social awareness and his insight into the music, culture and current conditions of Guinea and close personal relationships with the citizens of Guinea, make him a valuable resource to the New England area. Alan’s associations include, New England Conservatory, Berklee College of Music and Harvard University as well as The Percussive Arts Society.

Alan founded DrumConnection in 1990. DrumConnection is internationally known as a deep source of traditional knowledge of the hand-drumming of West Africa.

Alan resides with his lovely wife Fanta Keita Tauber, in Arlington MA and has residence in Simbaya, Guinea, West Africa.