Wofa means ‘come together’ in the Soso dialect of Guinea. It also represents the combined energy of some of the finest young performers of West…
Artist Profiles: Wofa
Tag: Guinea
Artist Profiles: Mamady Keita
Born in 1950, master drummer Mamady Keita came from eastern Guinea, once a part of the vast Manding Empire. In pre-colonial times it also included…
Artist Profiles: Kadé Diawara
Kadé Diawara is highly celebrated throughout Guinea as one of the single most significant jeli women in the country. On October 2, 1958 – the…
Artist Profiles: Famoudou Konaté
Famoudou Konaté is an exceptional virtuoso on the jembe. Famoudou Konaté was born in 1940 in Sangbarala, in the Hamana region of Guinea – the…
Artist Profiles: Sekou “Diamond Fingers” Diabate
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: 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…