BIOS: BOLOKADA CONDE
Bolokada Conde is a master among masters and one of the richest treasures of Malinke music and folklore on earth.
One of Guinea’s most premier and prolific Malinke Djembefolas, Conde has taught the spellbinding Malinke music and folklore across the world. Born and raised in the villages of Morowaya, Guinea, Conde performed for thousands across West Africa and at the highest level. A spellbinding Grandmaster Djembefola, Conde takes pride in sharing the Malinke rhythms, songs, and culture with sheer passion, patience, and remarkable zeal.
Drum godfather Mamady Keita calls Bolokada “A brilliant and entertaining performer, a patient and precise teacher, and one of the few masters of his instrument. Few others are able to captivate his audience as he does, and even fewer are able to clearly and concisely teach this music."
Conde, now a South Carolina resident, started out as a young musical prodigy who became a sensation in the Sankaran region of Guinea, West Africa. As a master folklorist, he became the premier djembe player in all the major village celebrations in the region for many years. Conde later joined the world famous Les Percussion du Guinee to replace the legendary Momoudy Keita as their lead drummer. He traveled and performed in major performance venues all over the world since 1996 and was featured in the IMAX movie PULSE: a Stomp Odyssey. Conde’s mission is to share the epic rhythms, stories, and culture of the Malinke people and nurture your musical life journey.
Since 2004, Conde has been performing and teaching in the United States. He is the musical director and lead soloist of Ballet Waraba in North Carolina, Ballet Wassa-Wassa in Santa Cruz, California and Les Percussion Malinke in the San Francisco Bay Area. He has conducted percussion workshop all over the US, Europe, Asia, and Guinea, and produced CD and DVD masterpieces including Djiraworo. Residing in the U.S., Conde was awarded as artist of extraordinary ability by the U.S. government in 2007.
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Moussa Traore
Born and raised in Mali, West Africa, Moussa Traore is considered an absolute legend, one of the most electrifying and foremost djembe Grandmasters in the world.
Moussa, who now resides in Boston, has been playing the djembe for over 30 years, officially gaining his title as Master in 1984 from his longtime teacher, Sega Cisse. Moussa is distinguished in Mali as a Godfather musician in theater, in traditional ceremonies, as well as in the Malian pop scene. Since moving to the U.S., Moussa has continued to be highly a respected teacher and stunning performer.
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Mangue Sylla
Guinea's legendary Dundun orchestra & Sangban aficionado, Mangue is an electrifying performer with a keen sense of musicality. The West African percussionist is a musical force to be reckoned with. Originally from Guinea and now based in New York City, Mangue is well versed in both traditional rhythms as well as contemporary musical styles, and has mastered an array of traditional African instruments.
Born in Conakry, Guinea, Mangue began studying music at the age of 7. Focusing initially on the sangban, his early teachers were among the foremost masters of Guinea’s tremendous drumming legacy. With Moussa Bayo and Kanda Kante, Mangue learned the roots of his musical culture, studying the traditional-style drumming that has been passed down for generations in Guinea’s villages. Then with Lancei Kante and Noumody Keita of the famed group Percussions De Guinée, Mangue learned the contemporary or “ballet-style” drumming that features the three drum doundoun set originated by Kante.
In 1993 while performing at a ceremony, Mangue was noticed by prominent choreographer Kemoko Sano. Sano’s group, Les Merveilles de Guinée, had recently established itself as one of the top ensembles in the country. Upon hearing Mangue once, with no further audition, Sano invited him to join. Mangue toured throughout Africa with Merveilles and remained a member until 1998 when he left Guinea for New York City.
His 2007 debut album, Kon Koura, showcases a traditional West African percussion ensemble performing both folkloric songs and Mangue’s original compositions. His latest project, NOLLER/SYLLA - a collaboration with jazz drummer Jeremy Noller, brings together traditional West African rhythms and contemporary jazz to create an exciting and accessible mix of pulsing grooves and soaring melodies.
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Caph Guei
Caph Guei is an Ivorian drumming virtuoso and the star percussionist & musical composer of Afriky Lolo Dance Company. A breath-taking live performer, Caph dazzles audiences across the world with his rapid, musical, and powerful soloing that puts him in a league of his own.
Michael Taylor
'Taylor' has been teaching, performing, and recording West African percussion since 1994. The owner and driving force behind Holy Goat Percussion, Taylor is also the first student in the world to receive Tam Tam Mandingue Diploma in 2006, under the leadership of Grandmaster Djembefola Mamady Keita. Taylor is currently director of the Tam Tam Mandingue Djembe Academy - Chicago, School of Percussion.
Taylor has studied in Africa and America with a number of expert djembe and dunun players, among them: Grand Master Drummer Mamady Keita, Grand Master Drummer Famoudou Konate, Master Dancer Moustapha Bangoura, Michael Markus, Mahiri Fadjimba-Keita, Master Drummer M'Bemba Bangoura, Yaya Kabo, Master Drummer Gbanworo Keita, Master Drummer Laurent Camara, Master Drummer Abdoul Doumbia, Master Drummer Madou Dembele, Minto Camara, Arthur Hull, Yaya Diallo, and Jahamen Mobley.
Tosha 'Ayo' Alston
Tosha 'Ayo' Alston, a quintessential Brooklynite, was raised in a family of highly skilled artists and musicians. After years of researching, studying, & performing drum & dance, Alston birthed the Ayodele Drum and Dance community in 2009 in Chicago. Ayodele is a teaching organization created for women to affirm their self confidence and strength in our communities. Through travel, research and performance, Ayodele personalizes African music and dance in order to effectively infuse our women and children with cultural wealth.
INSPIRING VIDEO:
"Who is Bolokada?"
Khadyjha Harper
A star drummer with the illustrious Nimbaya!, the all-female drum troupe of Guinea, Khadyjah is one of world's rare woman djembe grandmasters and a true prodigy of West African percussion that has taught hundreds and performed for millions! The first African-American woman to tour globally with a Guinea company, Khady has well-earned a reputation for fierce drumming, powerful and accurate musical melodies, and brilliant instruction, all with a personality that is nothing short of inspiring. The native New Yorker started training in African drum and dance at the age of 9, and soon soared to the national stage, performing professionally with Tri Shades of Gold, African Diaspora, Cinque Folkloric Dance Theater and Olujimi. She later went on to study in Guinea and Senegal, conducting extensive research with the National Company of Senegal & Gambia as well as Les Merve of Guinea. Her star power on stage has led to performances at Lincoln Center, BAM's Dance Africa, Harvard, Carnegie Hall, & the United Nations to name a few. Khady is dedicated to giving back and has taught in many NYC public schools and cultural arts centers.