Monette Marino Band

Monette Marino is a world percussionist. She spent the majority of the last 25 years studying under Master Drummer Mamady Keita from Guinea. In 1999, she received her Teaching Certificate from Mr. Keita and opened a branch of Tam Tam Mandingue USA in San Diego, California. In 2001, Monette won the National Hand Drum-Off competition at Drum Day LA, sponsored by the Guitar Center. From 2004–2012 she managed Mamady’s world tours, assisted him in teaching master classes, and performed with his ensemble Sewa Kan. She received her diploma from Mamady Keita & Tam Tam Mandingue in 2011. Monette has since branched out as a solo artist releasing her debut album “Coup d’Eclat” and opened her own school of percussion called MO’RHYTHM. In addition, she has developed an App “MoRhythm-Africa” to learn and practice traditional Djembe rhythms which is available on all iOS platforms (iTunes for iPhone/iPad/Apple TV). Monette travels extensively teaching and performing around the US and internationally as well. Prior to her involvement in West African percussion Monette studied and performed folkloric and popular rhythms from Cuba, Brazil, and Korea with renowned teachers Regino Jimenez, Viscaino, Changuito, Jorge Alabe, Michael Spiro, Mark Lamson and Kim Duk Soo. Monette continues to explore many drumming systems from around the world and has a deep respect for the cultural heritage preserved and passed on through the language of the drum.