Aleksi Oksanen alias Aakusti Koskela
Nastolantie 22
00600 Helsinki
paja@djembepaja.fi
Tel. +358-45-566 55 58

Education
Master of Arts, Comparative Religion, University of Helsinki, Fall 2008
•    Master’s Thesis Musician at a Celebration:  Master Drummer and Apprentice in African Tradition received the highest degree (Laudatur)
•    Temenos Award, Finnish Society for the Study of Religion, 2007
•    Master’s Thesis Award, Department of Comparative Religion, University of Helsinki 2007

Musical Training
Training in Djembe Music in Africa, Europe and USA since 1996
•    Apprentice to master-drummer Ousmane “Zoumana” Dembele, 2002─present
•    Studies with Guinean master-drummers Mamady Keita, Famoudou Konate, Mohammed Lamine “Dibo” Camara, Ladji “Papa” Camara, and with Soungalo “Merceau” Sanou, Issa Dembele, Aviv Ben-Yehuda and N’Fanly “Alya” Camara

Teaching
Djembe drum teacher, 2000─present
•    Director of courses and workshops for advanced, beginner and children’s groups in Helsinki, Vantaa, Nummela and Vihti (with AfroSusi & LuovaSointu and Musiikkileikkikoulu Väkkärällä)

Performance History
Solo and group performances at festivals, celebrations and other events since 1997
•    Founding member of several African music ensembles, including Faso Kan and Trokoto!
•    Dance accompanist, 2001─present. Regular accompanist for teacher Minna Määttä since 2003
•    Actor, Lobotomiateatteri, Kellariteatteri and Espoon Kesäteatteri, 1993-1997

Documentary Film and Publications
Director, producer and researcher of the award-winning documentary film, In the Blood: Portrait of a         Griot (Kaarna Productions © 2005)
•    The film has been an official selection at several festivals in Europe and the US, including the One Reel Film Festival, Seattle, 2006, and at the International Council for Traditional Music Conference, 2007
•    Miscellaneous articles on djembe tradition, World of Music, and Pelimanni magazines

The Djembe Music Spot of Finland
Founder of Djembepaja, The Djembe Music Spot, whose aim is to promote and preserve the djembe traditions of West Africa
•    Importing, finishing and maintaining djembe drums, 2000─present. Our registered trademark, Djeliba Djembe, is relied by prominent Finnish bands, including Don Johnson Big Band, Rinneradio and Tampere Filharmonia
•    Organizes African music events, including the master classes of Zoumana Dembele, 2008

More at www.djembepaja.fi