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Abdoulaye Kouyaté
(Guinea)
Biography
Abdoulaye Kouyaté grew up in the Guinean capital Conakry, and as part of the Kouyaté family, he
was destined to be a griot, a musician and historian. His father was Sekou Kouyaté, griot and musician, and at some point
band leader of Myriam Makeba's band, while she lived in Guinea. This enabled the young Abdoulaye, who started playing on guitar
and kora, to meet and see perform Guinean stars such as Momo Wandel, Sekouba Bambino, Manfila Kanté,
Doura Barry, who were inspiring and influencing Abdoulaye who was developing his own style.
For 8 years, he toured around the world with Circus Baobab, the first West African circus mixing acrobatics, music and dance. In 2008, he joined Ba Cissoko's group, and together they performed on many festivals. Over the years, Abdoulaye Kouyaté has worked with various artists, being Patrick Ruffino, Gasandji, Mariama, Moh Kouyaté, Djeli Moussa Condé, and Jain.
Abdoulaye has also been active in bands such as Rio Mandingue and Trio Colibri. When Abdoulaye decided to record a solo album, he asked Beninese bassist Patrick Ruffino to produce the album. The album « Fefanyi » offers a surprising diversity of styles, from his mandingo roots to jazz, funk, biguine, reggae and bossa nova. Some of the songs are inspired by his younger years in Conakry, while others lean towards the difficulties of life of an African migrant in Europe, the cold, becoming adult and responsible, and various lessons of life.
Abdoulaye's debut album was presented at a concert at the Studio de l'Hermitage in Paris on 20 June 2024.
For 8 years, he toured around the world with Circus Baobab, the first West African circus mixing acrobatics, music and dance. In 2008, he joined Ba Cissoko's group, and together they performed on many festivals. Over the years, Abdoulaye Kouyaté has worked with various artists, being Patrick Ruffino, Gasandji, Mariama, Moh Kouyaté, Djeli Moussa Condé, and Jain.
Abdoulaye has also been active in bands such as Rio Mandingue and Trio Colibri. When Abdoulaye decided to record a solo album, he asked Beninese bassist Patrick Ruffino to produce the album. The album « Fefanyi » offers a surprising diversity of styles, from his mandingo roots to jazz, funk, biguine, reggae and bossa nova. Some of the songs are inspired by his younger years in Conakry, while others lean towards the difficulties of life of an African migrant in Europe, the cold, becoming adult and responsible, and various lessons of life.
Abdoulaye's debut album was presented at a concert at the Studio de l'Hermitage in Paris on 20 June 2024.
Abdoulaye Kouyaté
Musicians on Fefanyi:
Abdoulaye Kouyaté kora, guitar, vocals;
Thierry Fournel guitar;
Yannick Vela bass;
Nicolas Grupp drums;
Guests:
Gabi Hartmann vocals;
Robby Marshall Saxophone;
Guillaume Latil violoncello;
Guy Nsangué bass;
Dartagnan Camara djembé;
Dramane "Popimane" Dembélé Peul flute
Djene Kouyate backing vocals
Abdoulaye Kouyaté kora, guitar, vocals;
Thierry Fournel guitar;
Yannick Vela bass;
Nicolas Grupp drums;
Guests:
Gabi Hartmann vocals;
Robby Marshall Saxophone;
Guillaume Latil violoncello;
Guy Nsangué bass;
Dartagnan Camara djembé;
Dramane "Popimane" Dembélé Peul flute
Djene Kouyate backing vocals
Born: in Conakry
Style: mandingo music / afro-pop
Discography
| Title | Year | Label | Remarks |
| Fefanyi | 2024 | Rock'n'Hall RHASCD2023015 |
Sources
www.abdoulayekouyate.com [external link, retrieved 30-06-2024]
www.roughtrade.com [external link, retrieved 30-06-2024]
abdoulayekouyate.bandcamp.com [external link, retrieved 30-06-2024]
www.abdoulayekouyate.com [external link, retrieved 30-06-2024]
www.roughtrade.com [external link, retrieved 30-06-2024]
abdoulayekouyate.bandcamp.com [external link, retrieved 30-06-2024]
Page added July 2024