Mamadou Diabaté
Mamadou Diabate is an award winning balafon master and composer born in Burkina Faso. He is coming from a traditional “Jeli” family of music making and story telling of the Sambla peoples. He was 5 years old when his professional education began. His virtuosity is outstanding - some people say, he would have more than two hands. Explicit techniques allow Mamadou to play balafon solos, which create the impression, that three balafonists play together. Since 2001 he has released 13 CD´s. The CD “Keneya” is the world premiere recording of the traditional balafon music of the Sambla people. This music is in reality the Sambla language translated into music. Musicians, who don't speak this language can't play it at all. Today his unique line up with two balafon upfront as lead instruments characterizes Mamadou Diababte & Percussion Mania. That makes the project the ONLY formation of this kind worldwide, different to all other West African bands. Musical dialogs and spectacular balafon duels between Mamadou and his cousin Yacouba Konate are one of the highlights of the show. Today Mamadou lives in Vienna. Since 2017 he lectures the Sambala Balafon language in variouse Universities in USA and Canada.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of KEXP
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