4 Fenba

Mamadou Diabate is an award winning balafon master and composer born in Burkina Faso. He is coming from a traditional  “Jeli” family of music making and story telling of the Sambla peoples. He was 5 years old when his professional education began. His virtuosity is outstanding - some people say, he would have more than two hands. Explicit techniques allow Mamadou to play the balafon alone but to create the music like three musicians. Since 2001 he has released over 12 CD´s. The CD “Keneya” is the world premiere recording of the traditional balafon music of the Sambla people. This music is in reality the Sambla language translated into music. Musicians, who don't speak this language can't play it at all. Today his unique line up with two balafon upfront as lead instruments characterizes Mamadou Diababte & Percussion Mania. That makes the project the ONLY formation of this kind worldwide, different to all other West African bands. Musical dialogs and spectacular balafon duels between the two brothers Mamadou and Seydou Diabate are one of the highlights of the show. Today Mamadou lives in Vienna. He has worked with numerous people around the world and is Burkina Faso´s most famous player.

mamadou_diabate_balafon

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