aba DIOP

Aba Diop is a master percussionist, composer and arranger in an unbroken ancestral line of Senegalese griots: the wisdom-keepers and cultural lineage-holders foundational to African societies.

The griot knows stories, poetry, dances and songs that communicate generations’ worth of knowledge. Aba as a griot shares this cultural knowledge primarily through sabar—a type of drum played by his father, his grandparents, his grandparents’ parents, and so on. 

Aba brings the lifeways from thousands of years into the 21st century, embodying the deep roots of all modern music. From playing in a traditional sabar ensemble, to collaborating with world-class artists such as John Medeski, Yo-Yo Ma, and Yussef Dayes, to performing in Goddess at The Public Theater, he brings viscerally-compelling electricity and unparalleled musicianship to all his work.

In short, Aba was born to play sabar and to share his craft with others.

ABA DIOP & THE YERMANDE FAMILY

At first glance, master sabar percussionist Aba Diop may seem like a “new arrival” on the global stage, suddenly appearing alongside luminaries like John Medeski and Yussef Dayes. But to call Aba new is to overlook a lifetime of dedication. Born into an unbroken griot lineage in Senegal, Aba carries centuries of sacred musical knowledge in his hands.

Aba Diop & the Yermande Family is more than a band, it’s a griot-led project redefining the role of percussion. Often heard in the background of Senegalese music, sabar and tama take center stage here as lead voices in a sound that spans continents. Rooted in healing, prayer, and celebration, these rhythms aren’t just accompaniment, they are source. “Our percussion heals,” Aba says. With master musicians from Senegal and boundary-pushing collaborators from the U.S., the ensemble plays with a shared fluency in improvisation, deep listening, and groove. “Musically and spiritually, there is nothing like it,” says John Medeski.

The name Yermande means compassion, community care, and reverence, values that shape both the music and its mission. At its core, this is music as medicine—spiritual, rooted, and alive with joy.

Their upcoming album Family, with special guest John Medeski, releases August 29, 2025.