ABOUT Famoro Dioubate
SESSION TITLE: The Songs of the Balafon from Guinea, West Africa
Famoro Dioubate was born in 1965 in Conakry, Guinea as a Griot (family lineage who keep the history and traditions of the people). He is the grandson of El Hadj Djelli Sory Kouyate, a living legend of the Mandeng Balafon. In Conakry he co-founded “Les Heritiers” with Sekouba Kandia Kouyate and recorded the albums Kandia Dinke and Nyoumekela with this group. Famoro was the understudy of his grandfather in the Ensemble Instrumental National (National ensemble of Guinea) and routinely performed for the President and visiting foreign dignitaries. He was a member of the famous Mory Kante’s orchestra for the performances and recording of the Traditional Symphonie.
Famaro has made a strong name for himself and he moved to New York City in the late nineties. He is in high demand as a freelance musician, performing everywhere from nightclubs to Carnegie Hall to the recording studio and teaching clinics worldwide. Famoro has been working within Wula Drum for over 10 years as a teacher, performer and ambassador of Guinean music, culture and history.