Alpha Yaya Diallo

Biography

The Western African guitar tradition from the Mandigos and Foulahs is fused with influences of contemporary jazz by Guinea-born and Vancouver, Canada-based guitarist, singer, songwriter and bandleader Alpha Yaya Diallo (pronounced “Jallow”). Regarding his music group, Baffing, shaped in 1992, Diallo offers used the music of his homeland to a global stage. Playing acoustic guitar from age 12, Diallo 1st attracted interest as innovator of College or university of Conakry music group, the Sons of Rais. Pursuing his graduation, Diallo performed with Western African groups such as for example Like Systems, Kaloum Celebrity and Sorsonet Tempo. Moving to European countries in the middle-1980s, Diallo performed electric guitar for worldbeat group Fatala during Peter Gabriel’s WOMAD tour. After relocating to Canada and developing his own music group, Diallo embarked on building himself being a bandleader. His second record, Futur, received a Juno award (Canada’s equal to the Grammy). Diallo’s music, which he sings in Sous Sous, Malinke, Foulagh, French and British, deal with public concerns as well as the human spirit.

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