
Mohamed Camara is a performer, songwriter, and Guinean music educator whose rich Manding heritage has shaped a life-long passion and creative practice.
Trained under internationally renowned master drummer Ton Ton Sylla, Camara performed with Guinea’s leading drum and dance ensembles, including Ballet Bolonta and Les Sorciers de Guinée (directed by Miriam Makeba's percussionist Papa Kouyaté), and was a founding member and djembe leader of Ballet Destin.
Based in Melbourne since 2007, Camara shares his Manding heritage with Australian audiences to inspire cultural awareness and exchange. He delivers cultural incursions to preschools, schools and leading tertiary institutions across Victoria. Camara seeks musical innovation through unique collaborations with western musicians and styles, taking creative risks inspired by respectful musical exchange. These have led to a 2020 Speak Percussion commission with jazz drummer James McLean, and a collaboration with electronic producer Jonny Faith creating Fana (2018). Camara also co-wrote a track for the 2019 Australian film Le Champion and collaborated with The Cat Empire on the track Boom Boom (2023).
In 2023, Camara collaborated with saxophonist Joseph Lallo and composer Kate Tempany on a double concerto for djembe, kora, and saxophone, titled Great Barrier Reef Concerto. The work premiered at Hamer Hall with Camara as a soloist with the University of Melbourne Wind Symphony.
Camara is founding member and leader of contemporary Guinean fusion group Jarabi Band, who have been nominated for a 2024 Music Victoria Award. Jarabi Band’s debut album Duniama - In This World (2023, Music in Exile, with support from Creative Victoria) includes lead single Djamana, which placed in the top 10 finalists for 2024's Needle in the Hay competition.
Camara has toured nationally with Jarabi Band, Ausecuma Beats, Asanti Dance Theatre and Muhanamwe, delivered with support from Regional Arts Victoria and Creative Australia. Performance highlights include Melbourne Recital Centre, Hamer Hall, WOMADelaide, Port Fairy Folk Festival, Dark Mofo, Sidney Myer Music Bowl and Woodford Folk Festival.