Frank Bessem's Musiques d'Afrique: Alpha Yaya Diallo (Guinée)

Musiques d'Afrique Musiques de Guinée

Alpha Yaya Diallo is a multi-instrumentalist, although guitar player in the first place, he also plays several percussion instruments and the balafon. When he was young, he lived in various parts of the country, which enabled him to absorb Malinke and Soussou culture in addition to his own Pular culture. He spent some time in Senegal as well where he was exposed to the hot mbalax rhythms. Diallo thaught himself to play guitar, and soon he played with existing orchestras like Syli Authentique. He soon had the opportunity to come to Europe where he started playing with Fatala in 1990. Since Fatala was recording for the Real World label, they toured extensively on many World Music Festivals such as WOMAD. During the 1991 tour in Northern America, he decided to stay and settle in Canada (Vancouver). Already in 1993, he was able to release a first acoustic album in Canada, and since then several others followed. He toured in Canada in 1994 and 1996, and throughout 1999 and 2000, he toured in Canada and the USA. On his 2001 album The Journey, Salif Keita's guitarist Ousmane Kouyaté is co-producer and guitarist. More information can be found on www.alphayayadiallo.com. Born: 1962, in Conakry, Guinea. Style: mandingue music.

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