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Sékouba Bambino Diabaté
(Guinea)
Biography
Sékouba Bambino Diabaté was born in a griot family, as his
mother Mariama Samoura was a famous griot. Unfortunately she died when Sekouba was only 3 years old, shortly after she
had divorced from Sekouba's father. Although his father was against a musical career for Sekouba, he started nevertheless
singing in 1972, apparently for several bands, among others in the Revolution Band.
During one of the numerous singing contests in Conakry, a young Sekouba sang Salif Keita's song
« Mandjou », a song dedicated to Sekou Touré,
Guinea's president whose policy it was (among other, much less beneficial, measures) to promote African culture.
Around 1980, President Touré requested that "the boy from Siguiri", at the time only 16 years old, should replace Bembeya Jazz lead singer Aboubakar Demba Camara, who found a tragic death in 1973.
Sékouba Bambino stayed with Bembeya until 1989 and he then started a solo career. In this, he has succeeded perhaps more than anyone else in Guinea, as his status as one of the best singers in the country is beyond discussion until today. After a few albums, he released the album « Sinikan », recorded with the help of the producer of Salif Keita's album « Soro », François Bréant, and was aiming at an international break-through.
International success came even more when he recorded and performed with Panafrican salsa band Africando, with a first song on « Gombo Salsa », and as a full member on their 2000 album « Mandali » (released in France as « Betece »).
Sékouba Bambino also participated in Syllart's Mandekalou project, where famous West African artists were invited to revisit classic Mandingo repertoire and which resulted in two albums.
Around 1980, President Touré requested that "the boy from Siguiri", at the time only 16 years old, should replace Bembeya Jazz lead singer Aboubakar Demba Camara, who found a tragic death in 1973.
Sékouba Bambino stayed with Bembeya until 1989 and he then started a solo career. In this, he has succeeded perhaps more than anyone else in Guinea, as his status as one of the best singers in the country is beyond discussion until today. After a few albums, he released the album « Sinikan », recorded with the help of the producer of Salif Keita's album « Soro », François Bréant, and was aiming at an international break-through.
International success came even more when he recorded and performed with Panafrican salsa band Africando, with a first song on « Gombo Salsa », and as a full member on their 2000 album « Mandali » (released in France as « Betece »).
Sékouba Bambino also participated in Syllart's Mandekalou project, where famous West African artists were invited to revisit classic Mandingo repertoire and which resulted in two albums.
Sékouba Bambino Diabaté
Born: 1964, in Kintiya, 25 km from Siguiri (North-East Guinea)
Style: mandingo music
Discography
| Title | Year | Label | Remarks |
| Innovation - 20ème anniversaire | 2012 | Syllart | Also released by Lusafrica (with different track order) |
| Diatiguyw | 2012 | Syllart | Also released by Stern's as The Griot's Craft (STCD1117) |
| Ma Guinée | 2011 | SBD Production/Tandjigoura | |
| Allez Africa | 2006 | DMS Productions | (Apparently the same album as CAN History, except for the track list) |
| CAN History 1957-2006 | 2006 | Syllart | |
| 15e Anniversaire | 2004 | Syllart SYLAF 96300 | |
| Ambiance ballon | 2004 | Syllart | |
| Sinikan | 2004 | Sono CDS 8932 | (Next Music/Musisoft) |
| Kassa | 1997 | Stern's STCD 1074 | CD |
| Bonya | 1996 | Syllart SYL 83201 | Cassette |
| Kassa | 1996 | Syllart SYL 83200 | Cassette |
| Syli National | 1994 | Super Selection SS-1270 | Cassette |
| Le Destin | 1992 | PAM OA 202 | CD |
| Sama | 1991 | Super Selection 91001 | Cassette |
| For the discography in Bembeya Jazz, see Bembeya Jazz page | |||
Sources
www.sekoubabambino.fr [obsolete link, retrieved 2012];
www.africansuccess.org [obsolete link, retrieved 2012]
www.sekoubabambino.fr [obsolete link, retrieved 2012];
www.africansuccess.org [obsolete link, retrieved 2012]
Page added February 1998