Ossi Raippalinna is a Finland-based percussionist, producer, researcher, educator, and drum-maker. As part of his recent master’s studies at Sibelus Academy, field trips to Senegal, Mali, Scotland, and Cuba have enriched his understanding of the interplay between rhythm and melody in percussion traditions – particularly within West African drum traditions. Ossi’s repertoire includes the drum kit, keyboard, electronics, talking drum, djembe, bodhran, sabar, bugarabu, and congas. As well as making high-quality congas and djembe drums from sustainable Finnish wood, Ossi has taught hundreds of students across Finland, and set up an online platform in 2018, providing tutorials with master drummers. He’s also a founding member of the acclaimed Finland-based band Faso Kan (largely comprising musicians from Finland’s West African diaspora), as well as a percussionist and drummer in many other projects.