It is with great sadness that we tell you of the loss of our dear friend Rainer Dörrer. Rainer has been a dear and beloved friend of Famoudou's for more than 25 years.

Years ago, Rainer was on a quest to find a drum teacher and found Famoudou, in Guinea, during his days in the ballet. Rainer later was part of a group who invited Famoudou to travel to Germany marking his first voyage as a solo artist.

In 1987, Rainer organized a workshop to bring students to Famoudou's homeland to experience the culture first hand. He continued these workshops for 20 years enhancing the lives of both the students, from many countries, and the Africans they met.

Rainer was loved and highly regarded by many people all over the world. He was a kind, gentle, humble, compassionate person with a great sense of humor and adventure.

He will remain in our hearts always and we will think of him fondly playing his drum. There are no words that can express all that we have lost with his passing, he will be greatly missed.