Sidiki Dembélé hails from an ancient line of Malian Griot musicians, diplomats and oral historians, raised in the cultural traditions of his ancestors. He is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist teaching at masterclass level internationally. He appeared and composed for Justin Macgregor’s »Mugabeland!« (2012, Lowry Theatre). As musical director for Ballet Nimba (2010-2015) he joined the RSC as musician (»Hamlet« 2016 and 2018) and was named 21st century drummers ambassador in 2020. His credits include numerous appearances with the BBC Concert Orchestra and Welsh National Orchestra among others. An international tour with the Manchester Collective culminated in a 2021 BBC Proms appearance.

From February to June 2023, he has been performing with both the Royal Shakespeare Company in a new production of »Hamlet«, as well as »The Meaning of Zong« at the Barbican Theatre in London. He is an Associate Lecturer at RWCMD, with arrangement and contribution credits for several albums.