Dhol Crew (Dhol Players – Dhol classes)
We play both traditional & contemporary music, bringing the roots of the Dhol drum into the 21st century with our own east meets west fusion.
Sanjay Kumar (the founder of the Dhol Crew) teaches professional Dhol classes at our base in West Bromwich. Classes are ideal for anyone - all ages, male or female. Visit the classes' page or contact us for more information.
The beginning...
Sanj was first inspired to learn to play the Dhol after listening to the sounds of Bhangra. There was something so "infectious" about the rhythm that he felt inspired to learn the Dhol at age 14.
Though some might say that 14 was too late to reach professional player status, but Sanj worked hard and was fortunate to study under the renowned UK Dhol player - Mr Gurcharan Mall - learning from him and his team for a number of years.
Whilst studying with Mr Mall Sanj saw the impact Dhol players had when performing at weddings and he knew that he too wanted to inspire people, both young and old to get out of their seats and dance to the rhythm of the Dhol. So he started out playing with Mr Mall's group and then went on to become a solo artist, performing with DJ's, bands, singers, bhangra groups and band baja groups.
He has participated in festivals, appeared on TV, taken part in charity events, and has appeared in a pop video. His most memorable Dhol performance was performing Live at the BBC's Blue Peter Queen's Jubilee Party in 2002 where he opened the concert.
Sanj's years of experience in entertaining means that he is a confident performer who knows how to encourage the audience to participate in the "dance of the dhol".