Master Drummer Serigne Abdoulahat Sow was born 1982 in Dakar Senegal where he began drumming at the young age of 9. He started his drumming career by learning the traditional Senegalese rhythm of sabar from his father’s neighborhood friend. Shortly after he learned to play Djembe under the guidance of Virtuoso Jeru Sissoho in the group Bale Fula. Serigne, known to friends as Abdoul specializes in djembe Drumming, Sabar Drumming, and Bougarabou Drumming.

       After taking the scenic route, living and drumming around the world Abdoul settled in San Diego, California in 2011. He started teaching classes at the World Beat Center as was mentored by executive director of WBC Makeda Cheatom. As a West African immigrant, he began to gain knowledge about historic and systemic racism in America and began advocating and volunteering his time with marginalized groups. The more he learned the more active in the community he became. Around 2012 he co-founded Healing Rhythms with Lacey Williams on a grassroots level. Healing Rhythms facilitates Drum circle experiences and performs all over California for all people. Healing Rhythms journeyed into Calipatria Prison in 2017 and facilitated drumming groups for The Prison Education Project for 8 weeks. In 2018 Healing Rhythms volunteered at San Quentin Mental Health Awareness week and was featured in the San Quentin newspaper. From 2019-current as a teaching artist, Abdoul facilitates inclusive drumming groups in Calipatria and Centinela prisons with kindness, patience, and understanding. Abdoul is very well liked and respected by his students and is driven to continue teaching African arts to people experiencing incarceration. A true pioneer in his craft Abdoul is a polyglot and teaches in Spanish and English. Abdoul exemplifies the promotion of traditional West African culture and is passionate about the healing positive energy associated with traditional west African Drumming.