Biography

From an early age, percussionist Magatte Sow was surrounded by West African music and dance and innumerable artists from around the world. Mr. Sow studied djembe with his father Malik Sow and Kissima Diabate; sabar with Omar Mboup, Chiekh Tirou Mbaye; and tama with Ndongo Mbaye. This performance marks his San Francisco Symphony debut.

Mr. Sow appeared in the movie Amistad; has been featured on albums of Ashley Maher, Angélique Kidjo, and Rob Thomas; and has performed at the Nobel Peace Prize Awards. He has collaborated with artists including Stevie Wonder, Earth Wind and Fire, The Very Best, Andre Manga, Munyungo Jackson, Leon Mobley, Youssou N’Dour, Baaba Maal, Salif Keita, John Legend, Jill Scott, Janelle Monáe, Dianne Reeves, Kara Mack, Raja Kassis, Paulo Stagnaro, and Pedrito Martinez. Mr. Sow has toured with Debbie Allen as percussionist and cast member of her musical Oman Oman, and, for the past nine years, has been the percussionist for Angélique Kidjo, winning his first Grammy for his work on her album Eve.  Along with tama player Massamba Diop and singer Baaba Maal, Mr. Sow performed as soloist on Ludwig Göransson’s film score for Black Panther.

In Los Angeles, Mr. Sow is a member of his father’s group Fara Toro, and in Senegal, a member of Generation Percu and Kondiof. He continues to return to Senegal to further his connection to the country through music.