N'Faly Kouyaté

N’faly Kouyaté was born into one of the most celebrated families of griots of the Mandingue, the region of West Africa encompassing Guinea, Mali, Gambia, Senegal, Burkino Faso...
He is one of the sons of Konkoba Kabinet of Siguiri (Republic of Guinea-Conakry).
Konkoba is a superior grade of griots.
Grade rare (there exist only about three today)
He acquired this grade through difficult tests and a perfect mastery of the secrets of vie,
and understanding of the occult sciences.
At the age of 10, N’faly became a member of the National Brigade of Pioneers of the
Republic of Guinea.
In the same year, he received the diploma of best artist of the community of Matam in Conakry.
At age twelve, he was recruited in the National Children’s Theatre
(at the same time as his peers Bâ Cissokho, Prince Diabaté, Sourakata Diabaté...), by the great dancer, choreographer Jeanne Makoké, of the Ballets Africains of Guinée.
Several years later, he founded his first orchestral formation with his friends (Fodé Barro, Mamady Kourouma “Tabouley,” Sékouba Kandia, Kaabi Kandia, petit Condé, Doura Barry....)
Sponsored by Tabassy Barro, with the name “TABARRO,” and coached by Justin Morel Junio, which gave them, incidentally, the chance to record one of their songs at the National Radio (RTG).
But because of their studies and young age, Tabarro would not settle for being a flash in the pan.
Then Justin Morel Junior brought about the first international performances of N’faly and other great international artists, like Johnny Copeland, “international blues” (USA), at Conakry.

With the political integration of the arts in Guinéen education, N’faly was very quickly noticed for his spirit of group support, of creativity, of imagination, of respect for the culture, and has always won the esteem of the ensemble of students, as well as the students of the schools he attended., as well as teaching all he represented, and maintaining those ties, like vice-president or secretary of the arts or of sport, during all his terms at college or high school/lycée.

Member of the university troup, he also was sought out by great artists of his country. Several years later, voila, he became the youngest artistic director of the National Theater of Guinée. In that same year, the national direction of culture (in cooperation with the Minister of French Culture, and English as well), gave him a grant to study music processing in England, which helped to make his destiny in Europe.

N'faly is a marvelous singer, kora player, storyteller. Formed in the rigorous study of traditional artists of West Africa, he was opened nonetheless very early to universal music currents (world music, rock, hip-hop, jazz....).

After his brilliant presentation opening for Salif Keïta at Africa Center (London), under the auspices of WOMAD, Real World proposed a concert with their techno group "Afro-Celt Sound System," a concert which permitted him to enter his knowledge and talent and become a complete member of the ensemble, in the company of Simon, James,.....

An adventure which gave him occasion to perform on the best world festival stages such as Glastonbury, Dranouter, Mill Street Music Festival, Montreux Jazz Festival, WOMAD Australia, Guilford Festival, Festival International of Jazz at Montréal, Festival d'été de Québec, Central Park Summerstage NY.....
In 1999, the second cd "Release" from the Afro Celt Sound System, on which N'faly brilliantly participated, was awarded gold disc status in Ireland and a nomination for World Music Grammy in the 42nd Grammy Awards.
In 2001, their third cd, "Further in Time," was again nominated for "Best World Music Album" in the Grammy awards.