Paul van Kemenade Quintet

The folkoric music of the three brothers Djibi Guissé (guitar/vocals), Cheik Guissé (guitar/vocals) and Aliou Guissé ( djembé/ percussion) is based on different rhythms of the Toucouleur; (people living in the North of Senegal and Mauretania, also the home area of Baaba Maal). They are singing in different West African languages but mainly in their own pular ( peul), which is spoken in a lot of other West African countries.

The three brothers prefer saying that their music is universal for all ages and races, influenced by different musical directions but is strongly based on their own folkoric music.

Since 1988 they have been playing in an acoustic setting and have created a unique and personal sound and nowadays they are very well known in Africa.

Their songs call to mind the difficulties of daily life, youngsters' problems. With two acoustic guitars and a djembé, the three Guissé brothers mesmerize all the audiences they meet with.

The Paul van Kemenade Quintet was

founded in 1982 and has been playing in the same line up since 1989. This is quite unique in the jazz world. During these years the quintet have had many gigs at home and abroad.

They have toured Europe, South-Africa, West-Africa and Indonesia, have had radio and tv-performances, have played with popbands, fanfares and symphony orchestras. They have played with many international musicians and - since 1998 - especially with South Africans. The band also aims to get younger people interested in jazz and improvised music by giving school concerts.

The Paul van Kemenade Quintet have released nine albums.



They mostly play their compositions and try to blend European improvised music with American jazz, Africa and Spanish music, classical music as well as with popmusic. Furthermore they try to serve this musical cocktail in their own right.

They are constantly looking for opportunities to mix with other musical disciplines and are therefore evolving and aiming to lift their music to a higher level.



The members of this quintet all have their own bands and are not dependent on the quintet. That is why it still is a challenge for them to keep playing together and to exchange their musical ideas and experiences.



In 2000 Paul van Kemenade received the 'Boy Edgar Award' for his contribution to Dutch jazz music.