Aakusti Oksanen
Nastolantie 22
00600 Helsinki
paja@djembepaja.fi
Tel. +358-45-655 55 58

Artistic activity
Solo, theater and group performances since 1993
•   Award Winning perfomance at AfroZig -festival, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso 2010 with Landaya
•  Plays currently at Mande Maja Band (founder), Landaya (Burkina Faso), Aiyekooto (afrobeat), Arbusia (reggae/soukous/hiphop/ragga), E.J.Rutabaka (alternative jazz), Vagabon Tribe (afro-americana blues)
•   Founding member of several African music ensembles, including Mande Maja Band, Faso Kan, Trokoto!
•    Dance accompanist, 2001─present. Regular accompanist for teacher Minna Määttä since 2003
•    Actor, Lobotomiateatteri, Kellariteatteri and Espoon Kesäteatteri, 1993-1997

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
•    Organizes African and other music events, including Club Mañana Helsinki (in collaboration with Kepa, Maailman kuvalehti, producer Helmi Saksala and Landaya association, kick off Fall 2012) annual international camp in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso and the master classes of Zoumana Dembele
•    Importing, finishing and maintaining djembe drums, 2000─present. Our registered trademark, Djeliba Djembe, is relied by Tampere Filharmonia, Sibelius Akatemia (Musiikkitalo), Rinneradio

Teaching
Djembe drum teacher, 2000─present
•    Teacher of African music at Käpylän musiikkiopisto kamulinja 2009―
•    Director of courses and workshops for advanced, beginner and children’s groups in Helsinki area, Tampere, Orivesi, Keuruu, Nummela and Vihti

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

Musical Training
Training in Djembe Music in Africa, Europe and USA since 1996
•    Apprentice and manager to master-drummer Ousmane “Zoumana” Dembele, 2002─present
•    Studies with elder master-drummers Mamady Keita, Famoudou Konate, Mohammed Lamine “Dibo” Camara, Ladji “Papa” Camara, 1998─present

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, JaSeSoi and Pelimanni magazines

More at www.djembepaja.fi