The founder of Alpha Rhythm Roots, Alpha, is from Guinea, West Africa.
He has a bachelor's degree, and worked as a Planner / Project Manager in the corporate world for years.
Alpha attended and passed "Themes in African History" at Toronto Ryerson University in 2006. He also speaks both Canadian official languages fluently.
Although Alpha studied and lived in Europe most of his life, he stayed very connected to his Guinea homeland through regular yearly trips.
He moved to North America in the mid 90's, and began our company shortly after.
Beyond the ongoing group drumming classes, Alpha organized numerous successful dedicated group workshops, and appeared on Canadian television (TFO, VIA TVA), in dedicated documentaries and interviews about traditional music in Guinea and West Africa.
Alpha also has had the opportunity to work on the composition and recording of music for TV documentaries about refugee camps in Africa.
In July 2007, he was the co-host for Afrofest 2007 festival at Toronto Queens park.
In collaboration with multiple Toronto local artists, he regularly performs at concert, festivals, cultural events, schools, private corporate parties, and community fundraiser events in the Toronto Greater Area and Ontario.
Public performances highlights include:
AfroFest main stage(Toronto Queen's Park).
Multicultural summer festival (Toronto Harbourfront Centre).
Beat Migration (Toronto Lee's Palace).
Diversity week celebration at Federal Express Canada.
KCO-Kenyan Jamhuri day 43rd independence anniversary
Multicultural Wedding Show (Toronto Metro Convention Centre).
Harbourfront Community Centre 15th Anniversary.
2006 Ijo Vudu Dance Company Kwanza celebration .
The Cottage African lounge.
21st International Black Women's Congress 2006 (Holiday Inn Hotel / Markham)
Futurewatch Environmental non profit organization (Toronto Harbourfront community centre).
Muhtadi International drumming festival (Toronto Queen's Park)
"Carnivalissima"- Luminato Festival 2007 (Toronto Harbourfront Centre)
Irie Fest Toronto (Nathan Phillips Square)
Book Lover's ball 2008- Toronto public libraries (Toronto downtown Royal York hotel)
And more...
Questions? Comments? Please don't hesitate to use the comments box:
Craftsmen carving professional Djembes for Alpha Rhythm Roots
(Upper Guinea)
Musical instruments in Guinea
awaiting shipment to Toronto-Canada
Corporate dedicated workshop
Greetings Alpha,
I just wanted to let you know that my djembe arrived yesterday. It's beautiful!! The drum is exactly the color and size I wanted and I am quite impressed with the level of craftsmanship. It sounds great too! I brought my djembe to an Africa drumming class, and received many complements on it. People were impressed with not only the look and sound of the drum, but also with the fair price I paid. In addition, thank you for the T-shirt
I will be sure to wear it at my next drum class. Thanks again for a handsome, great-sounding drum.
Regards,
Mel Osborne
New Jersey - USA
Customer Testimonials:
Hi Alpha,
I played the Djembe with my friends today. The sound is great and strong.. The bass is very good. Really is a professional Djembe. The head size is perfect, and the whole base carved is beautiful. I love this Djembe.
Congratulations Alpha Rhythm Roots
Norberto Navarro
Guadalajara, Mexico
Hi, I finally got my djembe. It looks very nice and sounds very good as well.
I am really enjoying it. I took my djembe and sat in with a group last night and they really liked the drum also.
I got the strap on it correctly I think
Thanks again,
Michael Bullock
South Carolina - USA
Hello Alpha,
I just wanted to let you know that since I have been enjoying my large krin so much,
I have placed an order for another one (smaller version). My hope is that I can bring both krin to my drumming classes and drum circles and get a krin duo going. My African drumming teacher was excited when I brought my krin to his class last week. He played the Kuku rhythm on it while we accompanied him on drums. It sounded great!
Regards,
Melville . O
NJ - USA
Trade Show in Toronto - Canada
Alpha (Founder)
Adolescent playing the Djembe drum
in a dedicated group workshop
Alpha Rhythm Roots
Toll free: 1-866-496-7864
Tel: 416-473-0759
Fax: 416-351-0707
Email: info@alpharhythmroots.com
www.alpharhythmroots.com
Though we are an online retailer , you can also purchase some of our
authentic musical instruments and books from the " Blue Banana Market " in Toronto,
(250 Augusta Av - 1 block South of College)
Alpha's passion for music started at age 12, when he started music school in France.
Unfortunately for him, unforeseen circumstances forced him to drop music school after a few years of study. It is only after Alpha graduated from university, started working in the late 80's, and became more independent, that he was able to renew with his passion for music during his spare time.
Though percussion was already taught to tourists or non-Guinean people, playing percussion was not accepted and promoted in all families in the cultural context of Guinea, at the time.
Alpha then decided to start a theoretical and cultural study of percussion instruments and rhythms from all regions of Guinea, part of it being used in the instrument section of our web site.
He consistently fulfilled this study, helped by his frequent trips to Guinea for years.
In the mid 90's, Alpha decided to move to Toronto Canada.
By that time, the acceptance and opening of Guinea percussion player to all ethnic groups and to both genders was happening, and Guinea Master drummers were by then, more available to teach people, whether in Guinea, Europe or North America.
Alpha got an opportunity to use his theoretical studies, and then started practicing Guinea rhythms on the Djembe and Doundoumba drums.
Since that time, he is still regularly returning to his Guinea homeland, and further develops his drumming abilities through ongoing studies and attending workshops of some of the best Guinean Master drummers, both in Guinea and in North America (Famoudou Konate - Mohamed Diaby - Amara Kante - Mamady Keita)
Afrofest Toronto 2006 main stage
with Master drummer Amara Kante,
Ijo Vudu and Barro Doundoumba
Drumming workshop
with Master drummer
Famoudou Konate
Toronto-Canada 2003
Drumming workshop
with Master drummer
Mamady Keita
Boston-USA 2006
Drumming workshop
with Master drummer
Famoudou Konate
Toronto-Canada 2006
Public performance with
"AYA Dance Collective"
Performance withMaster drummer
Mohamed Diaby
Toronto-Canada
Irie Fest Toronto 2007
with "Aya Dance collective"
featuring Mohamed Diaby
Alpha with Oliver Mtukudzi "Tuku" during Afrofest 2005
Alpha and Alpha...Yaya Diallo
Special thanks to "Music Africa- Afrofest" for their ongoing
contribution to the African music scene in Toronto and Canada.
Thank you to all Master drummers for continuously teaching and inspiring me !
Thank you to all drummers, dancers, and musicians from all background that I met in the Toronto region and elsewhere in Canada, for being dedicated and consistent in contributing to inform the public about the music and traditions of Guinea !
Alpha dancing with
musicians from Mafanco neighborhood
Conakry-Guinea 1989
Irie FestToronto 2007
(Nathan Philip square)
Hi Alpha,
I want to let you know that I am really enjoying learning drumming with you. I feel challenged, I have fun and appreciate your patience and teaching style.
Terri
Toronto, Canada.
Hi There,
The performance was great!!! We only had to apologize that Alpha had to wait so long to perform for us. The performance really made the event enjoyable and fulfilling!!!
Tamika.
Uof T
Toronto, Canada.
Alpha was very good at organizing a suitable workshop with such short notice and being patient with our group getting there. He was very good at keeping the students challenged
and interested. The way that he teaches kept the students working hard and having fun, but at the same time, they began to understand the larger concept of African drumming and
rhythm. He was very inspiring to a ramshackle group of teenagers of varying ages (14-18 years old). It was effective and impressive. We can't wait to come back in years to come.
Erika, school teacher
Toronto, Canada
All musical instruments are authentic pieces imported directly from west Africa
(Mostly Guinea, Mali, Senegal, and Sierra Leone).
While we do use animal skins, our craftsmen do not condone the killing of animals solely for their skin. Instead, they only use the skins of animals consumed in the area. The craftsmen are descended from families who have produced the same artifacts from generations. They have mastered the techniques of selecting materials and building instruments through the years. Hear for yourself the unique sound that first echoed through Africa and now the world
Alpha (Founder)
In October 2006, Fedex Canada celebrated the theme "Around the FedEx World in 5 days".
Due in large part of your participation in celebrating aspect of your culture. Fedex Express would like to extend our sincere thank you for making Diversity week a success.
Michelle.M and Kavitha.V
Toronto, Canada
Hi Alpha!!
You and your band were just superb and our employees were thrilled with the drumming and general air of rigorous energy and enthusiasm that your team brought with you.
I hope we are able to hear you again in the not too distant future!
Thanks & regards
Annie.S
Toronto, Canada
Hi Alpha,
Thanks for meeting with me today.
The Djembe you have given me is, without a doubt, a top-quality instrument.
It is a work of art that I will treasure and take great care of. The sound that comes from it can't even be described in words - it can only be heard!
My father is a percussionist - his favorite drum being the Conga. He plays mostly Afro-Cuban rhythms. When I hear African rhythms, I go back to a very happy place.
Thanks for spreading the knowledge and sharing these special instruments.
I learned so much just from reading your website!
Azure
Toronto, Canada
Hi - I just want to tell you how pleased I am with the djembe that I ordered from you. It came in great condition and was better than I ever thought. It has a very nice sound. I bought it for my husband who is a professional percussionist. He began getting into Latin percussion about 10 years ago and I thought he might enjoy something "a little different". I think he's going to love it! THANKS!!
Christine
New Jersey, USA
Multicultural Wedding
fashion show
(Toronto - Metro Convention centre)
Dear Alpha,
It has happened, our “Fight Hunger Walk- Toronto”, and I am very pleased to have met Alpha Rhythm Roots and musical companions who shared in the excitement of the event.
It is with deep convictions that I say; having your presence was a big help in promoting our cause. Your participation made a real difference in us, raising much-needed funds and generating excellent visibility and press coverage in your community about child hunger.
By getting citizens out on the streets and taking action, we are urging our policymakers to put an end to the needless distress of hungry children, and thus meet the UN Millennium Development Goal No. 1 of having the number of hungry people decrease by 2015. It is hard to imagine, but more than 800 million people suffer from hunger in this world of plenty.
In conclusion, by joining us in our “Fight Hunger Walk – Toronto” displayed a tremendous show of solidarity in our fight against hunger. Together we are making some very important strides toward successfully eradicating hunger in the world.
Thank you for being a participant in this Global effort.
On behalf of the group, I would just like to thank you for running the djembes workshop. Your passion and energy was felt by everyone who participated. You are an amazing drummer and the skills you demonstrated for us tonight was very inspirational. Thank you once again for your enthusiasm and teachings, it was very fun and educational!
Man Ying Ho
University of Toronto, Canada.
Alpha,
Loved the way you interacted with the audience.
It was an outstanding performance and was talked about by everyone. I look forwarded to working with you again!
Alicia
Whitby, Ontario
Dear Alpha.
I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you and your team for an amazing performance..it was a beautiful show segment and I have received favourable comments on the Guinean drummers.
I look forward to working with you again real soon for the Hamilton show
Until then.
Erika
Fashion show producer
Toronto, Canada
Hi Alpha.
Thank you so much for coming, we really enjoyed your performance. We will definately invite you again to participate in Afrobeat next year.
Thank you again.
Best,
Gillis
A.S.A - U of T
Toronto, Canada
Hi Alpha
I wanted to say "Asante Sana" for the GREAT Djembe workshop!! Everyone was more than impressed with the drums, as well as your guidance. My friend, Cindy, will most definitely book with you in the future - she thought the workshop was a unique idea, especially for a b-day party. You're an excellent teacher and I wish you all the best with your business...
Roxanne,
Toronto, Canada
Fast Delivery for international postage.Good quality instrument.Thank you.
Fiona Morris
Australia
Thank you,
I have received your beautiful Krin - Sound very good and good quality.
Merci,
Louise
BC, Canada
I am thoroughly satisfied with the quality of service I received with my purchase from Alpha Rhythm Roots. I am now the proud owner of a beautiful ngoni, and I hope to order further instruments from your establishment in future.
Albert E. Fulton
NY, USA
I must say that I, along with all my guests, thoroughly enjoyed your performance. I received a tremendous amount of positive feedback from all. You guys were simply amazing and I look forward to booking you for future events. Thanks once again.
Bobby.
Mississauga, Ontario
Alpha...
Last night's drumming workshop was so much fun.
We all learned a lot, developed more confidence, discovered a few more skills, and had a great time! Thank you again for your energy, your enthusiasm, and your kindness.
