Who are the legends of Africa United?
MAMADY "WADABA" KOUROUMA:
Kourouma is an ever-loved Master Drummer from Guinea, West Africa -- nicknamed "The Great Panther" because of his powerful sound on the drum. Kourouma was born into a blacksmith family of traditional Malinke drummers, and raised in the village of Oroko. He learned from the age of eight all the traditional drum music and dances passed down from his ancestors. A teacher and inspiration in the U.S., Kourouma continues to light up many hearts and lives.
MARIETOU CAMARA:
The unmatched dance fireworks of Mariatou Camara, born in Guinea, West Africa, were recognized at a very young, leading the Master dancer to perform with the highly acclaimed dance company Les Merveilles d'Afrique, for several years. Camara would eventually become one of the lead dancers for Les Ballets Africains, under the direction of Italo Zambo and Kemoko Sano. In the words of Mr. Sano, "People wait to see Mariatou every time she performs!” Mariatou lives in the U.S. and travels extensively as an instructor and guest artist.
MAMADY MANSARE:
Mamady "Tambou” Mansaré III, 4th generation Master Flute player from Guinea West Africa is known across Africa and around the world for his extraordinarily beautiful musicianship and artistry. In addition to being a world class dancer, singer, and acrobat for Les Ballets Africains, the most renowned and prestigious performance company in all of West Africa, he holds the noble position of principal flute player in this revered company, a position only held by his father and grandfather. In the U.S., Mansare spreads his treasure chest of knowledge with One World Dance & Drum, founded by his wife, Sarah Lee Parker Mansare. In Guinea, the Mansaré family is known and regarded as a valuable national treasure.
MOUSSA TRAORE:
Born and raised in Mali, West Africa, Moussa Traore is considered to be one of the top djembe players in the world. He 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 foremost musician in the theater, in traditional ceremonies, as well as in the Malian pop scene. Since moving to the U.S., Moussa has continued to be highly respected teacher and stunning performer.
DJENEBA SAKO:
Sako is the undisputable Grandmaster of Malian dance and song, with her traditional and contemporary performances turning crowds into explosive balls of happiness. The most legendary dancer from Bamako, Mali, Sako started dancing professionally at age 11 with the Bienal District Troupe, where she won the National Dance Competition four times in a row. A cultural ambassador for Bamako, Sako has performed worldwide as a premier dancer for the District of Bamako, the Troupe Komi Djosse, and the Troupe Kantis with renowned Mamadou Kante. Sako continues to teach at conferences, inspiring generations of dancers.
AZIZ FAYE:
Faye is a Grandmaster Sabar dancer, choreographer and percussionist., hailing from the renowned Sing Sing family, a long line of ancient griots and master Sabar drummers and dancers. Faye studied under his father, grandfather, and uncles in Medina, the nguewel suburb of Dakar, Senegal. From a young age, Faye stood out as one of the most talented of his generation. As a young boy, Faye was a premiere performer in Le Ballet Sing Sing Rhythm. He has also performed with the formidable National Ballet of Senegal. Faye relocated to the U.S., has produced several albums, and touched many in spectacular classes and performances.
BOLOKADA CONDE:
The world's leading Godfather of traditional Malinke music and folklore, Conde is Co-founder and Musical Director of Africa United. The Grandmaster Djembefola and composer from Morowaya, Guinea rose to fame in Africa while working non-stop as a lead Djembefola. An effervescent and electric musician, Conde whips people into a frenzy, leaving them powerfully infused with joy and inspiring their journey into African culture. Guinea’s government selected Conde to be the lead soloist of its premier Percussion de Guinee. In 1996, Conde moved to the U.S., and has taught thousands in America, Asia, and Europe. Conde has worked as 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. Conde has produced several major CD and DVD masterpieces, and was a star of PULSE: The Stomp Odyssey.
YOUSSOUF KOUMBASSA: Perhaps the world’s most sought-after Guinea Grandmaster dancer, Koumbassa is a choreogapher for Africa United. The former premier dancer of Ballet Djoliba, the groundbreaking National Ballet of Guinea, Koumbassa was born and raised in Guinea and began dancing at the age of six. Koumbassa later went on to study under the leaders of Les Ballet Africains, the most acclaimed West African ballet company of all times. In the U.S., Youssouf has formed several companies including Les Ballets Bagata, comprised of sixty dancers and drummers, and staging spectacular mélanges of traditional culture and dance theater. A premier choreogrpaher, Youssouf has produced DVDs used around the world There are few countries Koumbassa hasn’t traveled to perform and teach. His legion of students and fans are in the tens of thousands.
M'BEMBA BANGOURA:
A prolific star from Conakry, Guinea, Bangoura is the Co-founder and Artisitc Director of Africa United. M'bembe is the world's premier drum & dance renaissance man. A master musician, dancer, choreographer, and folklorist, Bangoura is one of the foremost ambassadors for Guinean drum and dance. He has been an integral part of most major drum and dance conferences in the United States, as well as choreographing for dozens of dance companies in New York City and abroad.
NIMATOULAYE CAMARA
Nimatoulaye Camara was born in Guinea, West Africa to a family of Griots, highly revered traditional praise singers and keepers of the oral history. A star dancer, Camara grew up under her father, the renowned Master Drummer Sekou Camara of Les Ballet Djoliba de Guinee. Her lifelong devotion to dance began in traditional ceremonies at age 7. She was then recruited by Le Ballets Africains du Guinee as a premier dancer. In 2005 she was offered a position by the prestigious Academie du Danse in Marseilles as a visiting professor. Later that year, she left the Academie to travel to America as a lead percussionist and dancer with the historic all-female percussion and dance ensemble Les Amazons du Guinee. Nima has worked with Magbana Drum and Dance, Sankofa Kuumba, Drum Cafe, and Toukounou. Currently, and is Dance Director of the Nimba Drum & Dance Company.
SAYON CAMARA
After drumming in the villages of Guinea for 31 years, while cultivating rice and working for a brief period in the diamond mines, Camara was a bonofied Master Djembefola. Studying under the world’s foremost Djembefola Famoudou Konote in Conakry, Camara learned how to inspire the world. His playing has attracted many students in Japan and U.S. where he has worked on the Chicago Djembe Project, in addition to producing many CDs.
MORIKEBA KOUYATE
Morikeba Kouyate, a Grandmaster Kora player and griot, has delighted students and African dignataries alike, with his Kora playing and storytelling. An official carrier of oral traditions., Kouyate hails from the Kouyate family, the first griot family of the Mandinka people. Born and raised in Senegal, Kouyate began training at the age of eight and performing professionally by fourteen. He became well-known for spellbinding storytelling and Kora playing and hosted a popular radio show aired across Africa. Kouyate earned major grants to advance arts and culture studies in the U.S.