El Hadj Djely Sory Kouyate

Most likely the world’s greatest balafon player, El Hadj Djely Sory Kouyate didn’t record his first album, Anthologie du Balafon Mandigue, Vol. 1, until he previously reached his 73rd birthday. Despite his age group, the recording showcased his virtuosic playing and imaginative melodies. Accompanied by Touma Moudo Kouyate (second balafon), Ahmadou Camara (bolon), Samba Woury Barry (sokko), Sadio Diallo (buru), and Makan Camara (tunni), Kouyate solid his intertwining melodic spell. Based on the liner records of his debut recording, “some state that in human being memory nobody offers known such virtuosity on balafon in the Mande homeland.” Descended from Bala Fasseke Kouyate, djeli (courtroom musician) in the courtroom of Sundiate, the 12th hundred years founder from the Empire of Mali, Kouyate comes from a very important musical family members. Two of his brothers offered as djelis in the courtroom of Ruler Nalotaye in Kantande. Although he received his 1st balafon at age 12, Kouyate was small known beyond Guinea until becoming a member of the Country wide Instrumental Outfit in 1961. While touring in america, Kouyate and additional members fulfilled vocalist and politics activist Harry Belafonte. Influenced with the group’s music, Belafonte produced the Djoliba Ballet and asked Kouyate to be involved. Recognizing the invitation, Kouyate continued to be using the ballet firm for nearly ten years. In 1981, Kouyate became movie director from the Country wide Choral and Instrumental Outfit in Guinea. Seven years afterwards, he garnered vital acclaim for his playing in the Broadway creation, Africa Oye.