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…
Artist Profiles: Sekou “Diamond Fingers” Diabate
Category: Artist Profiles
Artist Profiles: Prince Diabate
Prince Diabate hails from a prominent family of Malinke jeli musicians from Guinea, West Africa. He learned his art from his father at a very…
Artist Profiles: N’Faly Kouyate
N’Faly Kouyate was born into the most famous family of jalis of the Manding, the region of West Africa which includes Guinea-Conakry, Mali, the Gambia,…
Artist Profiles: Mory Kanté
The initiation of a jali (also known as griot) begins before his birth. While she carried the son of El Hadj Djélifodé Kanté, Fatouma Kamissoko…
Artist Profiles: Momo Wandel Soumah
Momo “Wandel” Soumah Guinean singer, composer, and alto saxophonist, Momo ?Wandel? Soumah, was considered one of the greatest saxophonists in Africa. He was very influenced…
Artist Profiles: El Hadj Djeli Sory Kouyate
El Hadj Djeli Sory Kouyate is one of the greatest balafon players in West Africa. He is the Director of the prestigious Ensemble Instrumental National…
Artist Profiles: Alpha Yaya Diallo
Alpha Yaya Diallo is a formidable guitar player. He was born in Guinea-Conakry and has been playing since the age of 12. While in college…
Artist Profiles: Magda Angelica
Award-winning Magda Angélica was born in Guatemala and her childhood was formed by two Mayan women of the cackchiquel ethnic group. Since she was a…
Artist Profiles: Lenín Fernández
Drummer, composer and producer Lenín Fernández joined the influential Guatemalan rock group Alux Nahual in 1986, making five recordings. In 2001 he approached potter Carlos…
Artist Profiles: Pawolka
Pawolka means the message of Ka, or Gwo-Ka, the traditional percussion music of Guadeloupe, although the group also uses voices and melodies from other Caribbean…