ConunDRUMS is...

ConunDRUMS is a community of diverse women drawn together through a combination of fate, chance, intention, and the call of the drum.

In 2001, a small group of women began drumming and performing together and had a taste of how delicious that was. But as we know, the only thing constant in life is change and that group disbanded as its members grew in different directions. Four of those women maintained a vision of women drumming together in community. They set their intention to attract other like-spirited women to their group. Over the next year, their dream started to become reality as one by one their drumming sisters found their way to what is now ConunDRUMS.

As we have grown as a musical group, learning rhythms and songs from a variety of teachers, we have also grown as individuals and as a sisterhood. Our journey together as a leaderless group has taught us much about listening with respect and trust. This has inspired each of us to take risks and to stand in our authentic selves.

In that spirit we now offer audiences in the Atlanta area and beyond, the opportunity to connect with their authentic selves through our performances. Armed with our drums, songs, stories and dance we invite you to grab a shaker, or shake your booty and share in the joy that has come into each of our lives through our drumming community.

Our Music

ConunDRUMS is percussion ensemble playing instruments and music primarily from the traditions of the Malinke, Susu, and other related ethnic groups in the West African countries of Guinea, Mali, Sierra Lione, and Cote D'Ivoire. This music is part of an oral tradition passed down through generations. It has gained popularity in Europe and North American in the last half century as more and more West African musicians have come to teach and share their rich cultural heritage.

Besides West African polyrhythms, ConunDRUMS shows are sprinkled with other influences we've picked up along the way. You might hear Safiyah singing the South African song Shoshalossa, Cheri telling a Native American story see Ru glide past in a middle-Eastern belly-dance style. We're always open to experimenting with other musicians and styles. They don't call it PLAYING music for nothing.