Abdoulaye Kouyaté
From Guinea Conakry, Abdoulaye is a prominent member of the Mandingo griot caste.
From an early age, he was introduced to the guitar and kora by his father Sékou Kouyaté, a respected griot and renowned musician who also conducted Miriam Makeba. It was with him that Abdoulaye met the great names of Guinean music, such as Momo Wandel, Sekouba Bambino, Manfila Kanté and Doura Barry, all of whom have influenced his musical style.
For eight years, Abdoulaye traveled the world with the Circus Baobab troupe, West Africa’s first circus, whose story was told in Laurent Chevalier’s documentary of the same name. This journey enabled him to discover new cultures and artistic forms, enriching his own style.
In 2008, he began performing at international festivals with the group Ba Cissoko, while collaborating with many talented musicians such as Patrick Ruffino, Maciré Sylla, Mariama, Moh Kouyaté, Djeli Moussa Condé and Jain. His versatile talent and generosity have earned him a reputation as a passionate musician and outstanding improviser, with a love of swinging music above all else.
In 2016, he joined the Rio Mandingue project, which combines Brazilian rhythms with traditional Mandingo music. This musical fusion continues today with Trio Colibri, where Abdoulaye brings his own personal touch, combining Brazilian 7-string guitar, kora and percussion to create haunting, dreamlike music.
Abdoulaye draws his inspiration from the traditional Mandingo repertoire, while adding touches of jazz, funk and Latin music, to create a unique and captivating style. Whether in a Friday night jam session or on stage alongside the greats, Abdoulaye never ceases to seek out the same passion for music and desire to share an irresistible groove with his audience.
