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Kerfala Kanté (1959-2019)
(Guinea)
Biography
Kerfala Kanté was born a griot. Son of
Soungarou Kemo Kanté and Yansana Kourouma, he started playing
balafon since young age. When he was 15 years old, he took up the acoustic guitar and soon this instrument too had no secrets
for him. He played at ceremonies such as weddings and christening parties.
His talent had been recognised and he joined the Tropical Djoli Band in 1980. During that period, he was successful with a song he had wrote, « Deni Kéléni ».
In 1984, he was asked to join one of the big orchestras, Balla et ses Balladins, created in the 1960s. Unfortunately, problems had already begun for this orchestra and lack of money prevented them from frequent performing. Kerfala's good contacts with Guinean radio RTG led eventually to the possibility to record a first cassette « L'Oiseau de Sankara ». Since then, he recorded more albums, and most of his albums were released on CD. Already in 1994, one of his early songs « N'Na Djanssama » was selected for the sampler « Electric & Acoustic Mali » as one of the two Guinean songs on this CD.
In July 2019, he fell ill and was hospitalised and after a short illness he died during the night between 18 and 19 July.
His talent had been recognised and he joined the Tropical Djoli Band in 1980. During that period, he was successful with a song he had wrote, « Deni Kéléni ».
In 1984, he was asked to join one of the big orchestras, Balla et ses Balladins, created in the 1960s. Unfortunately, problems had already begun for this orchestra and lack of money prevented them from frequent performing. Kerfala's good contacts with Guinean radio RTG led eventually to the possibility to record a first cassette « L'Oiseau de Sankara ». Since then, he recorded more albums, and most of his albums were released on CD. Already in 1994, one of his early songs « N'Na Djanssama » was selected for the sampler « Electric & Acoustic Mali » as one of the two Guinean songs on this CD.
In July 2019, he fell ill and was hospitalised and after a short illness he died during the night between 18 and 19 July.
Album cover «Que se passe-t-il?»
Musicians on the "Que se passe-t-il?" album:
Kerfala Kante lead vocals & guitar
Alpha Camara percussion
Djely Moussa Kouyate guitar
Adama Conde guitar, balafon
Djely Moussa Conde kora
Eric Vincenot bass
Yves Ndjock guitar
Yeye Kante percussion
Alpha Camara percussion
Djely Moussa Kouyate guitar
Adama Conde guitar, balafon
Djely Moussa Conde kora
Eric Vincenot bass
Yves Ndjock guitar
Yeye Kante percussion
Nicolas Gueret saxophone
Christophe Dutray trumpet
Jacques Bolognesi trombone
Philippe Guez keyboards and programming
Ibrahima Soumano "RDA" guitar
Hadja Maningbe Kouyate, Oliza & Wande Kouyate backing vocals
Christophe Dutray trumpet
Jacques Bolognesi trombone
Philippe Guez keyboards and programming
Ibrahima Soumano "RDA" guitar
Hadja Maningbe Kouyate, Oliza & Wande Kouyate backing vocals
Born: 1959, in Koumandikoura (70km from Faranah - Haute Guinée)
Style: "electric" mandingo music
Discography
| Title | Year | Label | Remarks |
| Merci | 2016 | Tidiane World Music | CD-R |
| Djely Laye | 2016 | Tidiane World Music | Digital release |
| Biyedi | 2012 | Stern's | Digital release |
| New System | 2007 | Syllart 823484 | Distribution Discograph |
| Que se passe-t-il? | 2002 | Syllart SYLAF 96175 | |
| Sénékéla | 1999 | Syllart | |
| Fara-Fina | 1996 | Super Sound | |
| L'oiseau de Sankara (Vol. 2) | 1994 | Super Sound SS-2164 | Cassette |
| L'oiseau de Sankara | 1992 | Sonodisc CD6812 |
Sources
CD liner notes Que se passe-t-il?
CD liner notes Que se passe-t-il?
Page added February 2004