About Monette
Monette is a world percussionist. She spent the majority of the last 20 years studying under Master Drum-mer 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. 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 diplo-ma from Mamady Keita & Tam Tam Mandingue in 2011.
She has since branched out as a solo artist releasing her debut album “Coup d’Eclat” and also opened her own school of percussion called MO’RHYTHM. In addition, Monette Marino has created an iPhone App “Mo’Rhythm Africa – Play Along Djembe/Dunun App” now available on iTunes for iPhone/iPad/Apple TV. Prior to her involvement in West Afri can percussion Monette studied folkloric and popular rhythms from Cuba, Brazil, and Korea.
Drum Teacher
Founder of MO’RHYTHM School of Percussion
After training with the legendary Mamady Keita, Monette founded MO’RHYTHM, a percussion school that offers a holistic approach to learning. The program combines drumming instruction with West African songs, stories, cultural history, and the integral role of music and dance in daily life.
Media Kit
Monette is a world-class percussionist whose career began in 1993, following over 14 years of studying Latin American rhythms. She apprenticed under Master Djembe Drummer Mamady Keita, eventually opening a branch of his school in 1998. A National Hand Drum-Off champion (2001), Monette has toured globally with Keita and his band, Sewa Kan, since 2004. Now a solo artist, her debut album, Coup d’Eclat, fuses African and Latin rhythms with Funk and Rock, showcasing traditional instruments like the Djembe, Kora, and Balafon. Passionate about preserving drumming traditions, Monette’s music celebrates the universal language of rhythm.