The dazzling West African guitar virtuoso, Sekou “Diamond Fingers” Diabate, of the legendary Bembeya Jazz, is widely considered to be one of the top few guitarists on the continent of Africa, with an innovative personal style that mixes African and Cuban influences, and even Hawaiian slide guitar.
Beginning in the early 60’s, Diamond Fingers helped to pioneer a movement of modern Manding dance music that moved the musical inspiration and lyrical eloquence of the Manding griot tradition onto the dancefloors and airwaves of young West African capital cities.
During Bembeya’s Jazz’s recently-ended 14 year-hiatus, Diamond Fingers went on to release several acclaimed solo discs featuring his breathtakingly fluid improvisations.
Discography:
Montagne (1985)
Sekou Diabate Bembeya (1985)
Diamond Fingers (1995)
Samba Gaye (1997)
Guitar Fö (World Village, 2004)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
