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: Alpha Yaya Diallo
Tag: Guinea
Mandinka Trailblazer
Ba Cissoko – Djeli (Cristal Records, 2016) Djeli is the title of the latest album by Guinean multi-instrumentalist and composer Ba Cissoko. He’s a jeli…
Artist Profiles: Sekouba “Bambino” Diabaté
Sekouba “Bambino” Diabaté was born in the small village of Siguiri (Guinea) near the Malian border. He is descended from griots or jeli (a caste…
Artist Profiles: Maciré Sylla
Maciré Sylla is a singer from Guinea-Conakry. Her first album, “Mariama,” sold more than 250,000 copies in Africa alone, and won her the “Best Guinean…
Artist Profiles: Les Espoirs de Coronthie
Les Espoirs de Coronthie is a group of Susu musicians and dancers from Guinea who perform music rooted in Manding traditions. They use musical instruments…
Artist Profiles: Bembeya Jazz
Guinea’s Bembeya Jazz was formed in 1961, at a time and place when Afro-Cuban music resonated and possibly became the bridge between traditional music and…
Artist Profiles: African Virtuoses
Originally called Les Freres Diabate (The Diabate Brothers), the African Virtuoses were essentially a family band. But the Diabates were no ordinary family. For generations…