Portrait of a percussionist embracing his red-lit LED djembe

Sam Anderson, live percussionist and djembe player from Belgium

Also known as The Djembeman. For more than 18 years I have played live djembe and digital percussion alongside DJs at weddings, corporate events, clubs and festivals.

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257performances since 2022

83clubs, venues and festivals

17DJs played alongside

18+years on the dance floor

Who is Sam Anderson?

Sam Anderson is a Belgian live percussionist from West Flanders who plays djembe and digital percussion with DJ sets at weddings, corporate events, private parties, clubs and festivals.

I live and work in the Kortrijk area, half an hour from Lille, and perform all over Belgium. My trademark is a djembe lit with blue LEDs, backed up by a Roland HandSonic and a Roland SPD-SX Pro for congas, bongos, timbales and drums. I don't replace the DJ. I play with them, adding live rhythm on top of the music.

Name: Sam Anderson
Stage name: The Djembeman
Based in: Kortrijk, West Flanders, Belgium
Instruments: LED djembe, Roland HandSonic, Roland SPD-SX Pro and, with the Full Set, real congas and bongos
Events: weddings, corporate events, birthdays, private parties, Ibiza and afro house nights, clubs, beach bars and festivals
Languages: English, Dutch and French
Experience: more than 18 years on stage, more than 250 performances since 2022

Percussionist in a suit with a blue-lit djembe, ideal for corporate events

How it started: a djembe at a techno party

I was 15 when I first heard someone play a djembe over a DJ's beats at a techno party. That combination never left me. A steady electronic groove, and on top of it a person driving the rhythm with bare hands: that was what I wanted to do.

I bought my first djembe, practised along to every record I could find and played wherever people would have me. Small bars and parties turned into clubs, beach bars and festival stages. More than 18 years later I still play with the same buzz as that first night.

Percussionist playing djembe with eyes closed under a club spotlight

Music runs in the family

My father, Paul Anderson, was a well-known singer. I grew up around rehearsals, gigs and people who lived for music. He taught me that a show only works when the audience is with you, and that you get there by watching and listening to the room.

That is still how I play. I read the dance floor, follow the DJ and pick the moments where a roll or a break lands hardest. Now and then I hand the djembe to a guest and let them join in. Those tend to be the best photos and videos of the night.

Portrait of percussionist Sam Anderson with folded hands above his LED djembe

My style: rhythm that lifts the DJ

I play short, focused sets. The djembe sounds best on afro house, latin house and retro house. My digital instruments suit any style, from party classics to deep house, because I use them for congas, bongos, timbales and drums that sit right inside the DJ's mix.

Before every show I talk to the DJ about style, tempo and where the peaks fall. No DJ yet? I can suggest one from my network. Read more about the gear on djembe and digital percussion, and see how booking works in the FAQ.

Most of my bookings are weddings and corporate events, but you will also find me in clubs, at beach bars and at festivals. Salito Beach in Blankenberge has been my regular spot for years.