Date and Place of Birth: Mamadou Diabate was born in 1975 in Kita, Mali, a cultural hub for Manding people of West Africa.
Musical Heritage: The last name "Diabate" is a name that, among the Manding people, indicates a family from a musical caste, known throughout Africa as griots and among Manding people as jelis. Jelis are more than musicians, they are historians and keepers of culture.
Mamadou's father, Djelimory, was a kora player, as were his ancestors for hundreds of generations. He studied kora with many local musicians, and for a time, traveled to Bamako to study with his cousin Toumani Diabate, another noted kora player.
Mamadou's father, Djelimory, was a kora player, as were his ancestors for hundreds of generations. He studied kora with many local musicians, and for a time, traveled to Bamako to study with his cousin Toumani Diabate, another noted kora player.
Later History: In 1996, Mamadou was invited to tour the United States with a group of traveling Malian musicians. He enjoyed the influence his music had over people in the United States, and decided to make his home in New York State, where he is currently raising a family.
Nickname: "Djelika Djan", meaning "Tall Griot". This name was bestowed upon Mamadou by his cousin, Toumani Diabate, in reference to his impressive physical stature: Mamadou is extraordinarily tall.
Discography:
Tunga (2000) - Alula Records
Behmanka (2005) - World Village Records - Grammy Nominated!
Current Style: Mamadou is known for his tasteful and gentle kora playing, which is rooted heavily in the jeli tradition. He plays primarily traditional-style songs, but brings new life, and new accessibility, to the tradition by performing with various jazz, blues and rock musicians throughout the world.
Also Appeared On:
Lowlands - Susan McKewon (2000) - Green Linnet Records
Four Winds - Dick de Graaf (2001) - Turtle Records
Black Ivory Soul - Angelique Kidjo (2001) - Columbia Records
Peace Pipe - Ben Allison (2002) - Palmetto Records
A Family Affair - Leon and Eric Bibb (2002) - Hatman Records
Biriko - Kandia Kouyate (2002) - Stern's Africa Records
The Truth and Reconciliation Show - Hank Roberts (2002)- Hi Pitch Records
Spirits - Sigi Finkel (2003) - Blue Flame Records
Ambiance - Sekouba Bambino (2004) - Syllart Records
Friends - Eric Bibb (2004) - Telarc Blues Records
Oyaya! - Angelique Kidjo (2004) - Columbia Records
Life's A Ride - Donna The Buffalo (2005) - Wildlife/Reincarnate Records
