Cheikh M. Smith

b. c.1949, Guinea, d. 3 Sept 1998, Abidjan, Ivory Coastline. A talented pianist, Smith shifted to Abidjan, Ivory Coastline, where he performed in nightclubs, providing his exclusive piano interpretations of music traditionally from the balafon (a Western African instrument comparable to a big xylophone). These could be noticed on Toubabou Balafola, Smith’s just internationally available saving. Subtitled ‘The Guy Who Takes on The White Guy’s Balafon’ this achieved, jazzy album includes a collection of traditional music, mostly through the repertoire from the Manding people (the Western African tribe that Smith was created into), and a tribute to Charlie ‘Parrot’ Parker. Smith was wiped out in a vehicle accident in 1998.