Mama Sissoko was born in 1949 in Nioro du Sahel, 450 km north of Bamako, Mali. As a teenager, his parents entrusted him to his uncle Jeli Baba Sissoko in Bamako, a prominent griot and ngoni player. In this musical environment, Mama’s introduction to music was inevitable. Starting with percussion, he later transitioned to the guitar, using his school grant money to acquire an acoustic guitar, and persuading the mayor of his hometown to invest in an electric guitar.
During his military draft service, Mama joined the Orchestra A de Bamako, eventually becoming an essential member of the Orchestre National de Bamako for six years. His musical talent took him on tours within Mali and abroad, including Libya, where he played for notable figures like Kwame Nkrumah, Haïlé Sélassié, and Che Guevara in Mopti.
In the 1970s, with the Malian music scene embracing American and Cuban influences, Mama Sissoko found inspiration in blues and soul music, particularly the sounds of Otis Redding, as well as son cubano. He joined Le Super Biton de Ségou in 1974 as a lead singer and guitarist, contributing to the group’s success during their 10-year tour across Europe and Africa.
National recognition came in 1970 during the Cultural Biennial organized by Moussa Traoré, where Mama Sissoko won the Ebony Guitar prize. In 1988, he formed his own group, Le Ton Jon de Ségou, with the assistance of Françoise Huguier.
Transitioning to a solo career in 1991, Mama recorded Narena, his first cassette, and subsequently performed on major stages, including opening for BB King at the La Villette Jazz Festival.
His solo career continued with the release of Amours Jarabi (1997) and Soleil de Minuit (1999), presenting a fusion of various rhythms influenced by Bobo, Bambara, Sarakolé, Peul, Songhaï, and Manding cultures. In 2000, Mama Sissoko returned to Segu, contributing to the Super Biton Orchestra, and passing on his musical knowledge to future generations.
Mama’s impact transcends borders, as demonstrated when Santana and Herbie Hancock invited him to perform at the Montreux Festival in 2004. In 2023, his contributions were officially recognized when he was awarded the Mérite national, solidifying his status as a Malian musical luminary. That same year, he released an outstanding live album.
Discography:
Amours Jarabi (Buda Musique, 1997)
Soleil De Minuit (Buda Musique/Tinder Records, 1999)
Soul Mama (Sans Commentaire, 2020)
Mama Sissoko Live (Mieruba, 2023)
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.