N'Faly Kouyaté

• country:Guinea
• region:West Africa
• style(s):Afro, Electronic
• label:Namun Group
• type:Solo, Composer/Songwriter, Small Ensemble, Trio, Quartet, Quintet, Symphony Orchestra, Music Theatre Production, Large Ensemble
• gender:male
• instrumentation:instrumental, vocal, a cappella, electronic, percussion, string, singer songwriter, rock band, pop group, harp
• artist posted by:Namun Group

Line up

• N'Faly Kouyaté (Kora)
• N'Faly Kouyaté (Kora électronique, Balafon)
• N'Faly Kouyaté

Links

• Homepage

ENGLISH

The winner of « Songlines Music Awards » (with ACSS, 2017), ’Talent of Guinea’ (Paris, March 2015, Best group) and again nominated for the Guinean Music Awards (November 2015), N'Faly Kouyaté, is a multi-talented artist coming from a deeply traditional background.

Recently nominated as ‘Ambassador of the Intercultural Dialogue’ in Belgium, winner of the 'Guinée Music Award’ 2012, nominated for the 'Octaves de la Musique 2012' in Belgium, nominated as « Talent Acoustique » on TV5 Monde, he released his new album «CHANGE» on 5th August 2015 in London.

Due to his dexterity and elegance in impassioned playing of the kora, N’Faly Kouyaté became also known as the „Jimi Hendrix of the kora” and «the face» of Afro Celt Sound System. Already in 1999, their projects achieved a Golden Record and in 1999 and 2001 they were even nominated for the Grammy Award.

He has now branched out into a new style called AFROTRONIX. This style is deeply rooted in African music and draws on polyphony and electronic music.

N'Faly Kouyaté is an artist of commitment and his music invites us to dance, but the lyrics are far from frivolous, addressing subjects such as AIDS, the sale of arms, abuse of power and the change that each of us needs to make in our lives on his new album CHANGE.

As the son of the famous “Konkoba” Kabinet Kouyaté from Guinea, he was traditionally brought up as a Djeli (Griot), an ambassador of the Mandingo culture. The Griot (which means in his language Mandinka « Blood of the society » because they are everywhere like the blood in the body) has been a life library, history teller, counsellor of the King and the population. You can compare his role to the celtic bards or even a journalist in our times. Thus, he stands in line with professional musicians who have for centuries been an indispensable part of West African culture.

Konkoba is a superior grade of griots. Grade rare (there exist only about five Konkobas since the 11th century). Konkoba Kabinet acquired this grade through difficult tests and a perfect mastery of the secrets of life, and understanding of the occult sciences. N’Faly has been initiated by his father to follow up this old tradition. He is in the line of heritage for the Konkoba.

As a griot (or “guardian of the culture”) N’Faly Kouyaté has taken on the responsibility of preserving the cultural heritage of artists, and in particular the musical traditions of the Mandingo Empire in West Africa. His aim is to develop a deeper understanding of these traditions and, above all, to share his passion for his own history and musical legacy. Since 1996, he is director of his own african music school « NAMUN School » where students can learn about african traditions, history, instruments (like the kora, the balafon, doundoun, …) and polyphonic singing.
He founded in 2011 a festival, « FestiKONKOBA », panafrican festival of arts and culture, in Brussels and Guinea.

Since long time, N'Faly Kouyaté is engaged in humanitarian projects. He brought electricity to his community and started recently a project of water adduction in his village. (more information about this project called « THE SOURCE » following within the next days)

Some Milestones:
2011 Release CD Kora Strings (Afroclassic - mix between symphonic orchestra, african musicians and gospel singers), tour in Jamaica
2012 Formula 1, Singapore, tour in South Africa
2013 Concert and Gala for an Economic Forum at the presence of HR Prince Charles, PM David Cameron, PM Malaysia and many other Presidents and high personalities
2014 Production of a new album, tours in Malaysia, Singapore,
2015 Release of his newest album CHANGE in August in London, tour in South Africa

More information about his childhood and youth:

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 Matam in Conakry. At age twelve, he was recruited in the National Children’s Theatre, by the great dancer, choreographer Jeanne Makolé, of the « Ballets Africains de 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 Junior (ancient cultural minister of Guinea), which gave them, incidentally, the chance to record one of their songs at the National Radio (RTG). Then Justin Morel Junior brought the first international performances of N’Faly and other great international artists, like Johnny Copeland, “international blues” (USA), to Conakry.
With the political integration of the arts in Guinean education, N’Faly was very quickly noticed for his spirit of group support, creativity, of imagination and respect for the culture, and has always won the esteem of the ensemble of students and teachers.
As member of the university troup, he also was chosen by great artists of his country. Several years later he became the youngest artistic director of the National Theatre of Guinea. In that same year, the national direction of culture (in cooperation with the Ministry 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. Finally, he studied at the flemish music conservatory in Belgium.

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 The Barbican (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 of Simon Emmerson.
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.....



Instruments
N’Faly plays different instruments including the balafon, kora, n’gonin, djeli doundoun, djeli tamamba, and the toumba (congas).

1973/74
His first public performance with congas.
Conakry

from 1975/76 to 1994
During this period he lived with his brother-in-law, Sory Kandia Kouyaté (SKK). Sory Kandia Kouyaté was the national director of the "instrumental ensemble of the speech (of the revolution)"
Prize of the best artist
At the age of ten, N’Faly received a prize for the best artist of the Matam district in Conakry. The prize is awarded every two years at the Festival National Biennale, a competition among the best artists of Guinea.

National Theater of the Children
N’Faly was recruited by the famous dancer and choreographer Jeanne Makolé to join the National Theater for children at the age of twelve. During his time here, he met Ba Cissoko, Prince Diabaté and Sourakata Diabaté.

1985
1st group TABARRO
N’Faly founded his first orchestral formation with his friends (Fodé Baro, Mamady Kourouma "Tabouley", Sékouba Kandia, Kaabi Kandia, petit Condé, Doura Barry, etc.) sponsored by Tabassy Barro (which explains the name "TABARRO") and coached by Justin Morel Junior. Justin Morel Junior, well-known as a journalist and former Minister of Culture in Guinea, produced the first international meeting of the budding artist with other major international artists such as Johnny Copeland, singer and American blues guitarist. N'Faly was asked to finish the tour with Copeland after a demo in front of the artist. However, he had to decline and remain in Conakry because of his young age.

1993
Artistic director of the National Theater of Guinea
In 1993 he became the youngest artistic director of the National Theater of Guinea. The initiative was formed by the writer Fangué Touré of Guinea, who wrote a play to be presented by the troupe of the National Theater Festival in Burkina Faso. They asked N'Faly for his support in art direction and to assist with the musical composition of the piece.

21 Août 1994
Europe

N’Faly moved to Brussels, Europe.
1996
WOMAD and the prelude with Afro Celt Sound System
N’Faly traveled to England for a gig. Here, he became acquainted with an employee of WOMAD, an organization of Peter Gabriel based on promoting "multiculturalism". [It is the name of a world festival dedicated to music, art and dance (WOMAD Festival).] WOMAD invited him to do an opening performance for Salif Keita. After his stunning performance at the Barbican London in the WOMAD Festival, the Afrocelts invited N'Faly to play a concert in the "Olympic" hall in Dublin. This occasion allowed him to demonstrate his skills and led to his « membership » at the Afro-Celt Sound System, founded by Simon Emmerson.

During the years of conservatory, N'Faly met Bart Zegers, a bassist with whom he began to play duets with. This marked the beginning of his partnership with his own band Dunyakan.

2000
Dunyakan took part in the UNESCO project "music for everyone" – which involved a solo-concert at a prison for men and women in New York.

2004
N'Faly played for the opening ceremony at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens along with a classical orchestra.

Choice of concerts of N’Faly Kouyaté & Dunyakan
End of April 2005
Dunyakan : Tour UK
20/21 May 2005
Dunyakan : WOMAD Madrid
22 May 2005
Dunyakan : Nomad Festival
29 May 2005
Dunyakan : Tour UK
3 July 2005
Dunyakan Concert "Couleur Café" Brussels
20 July 2005
Dunyakan Concert "Francofolies de Spa"
22 July 2006
Concert for the President of Malta with Renzo
22 Juillet 2006
Dunyakan : Open Sky Concert, Schweiz
13 July 2006
AC Larmer Tree Festival Salisbury, England
15 July 2006
AC Hebridean Celtic Festival, Stornaway, Isle of Lewis
05 August 2006
Dunyakan : Festival Folk de Pardinas in Lugo, Spanien
15 August 2006
Afro Celt Sound System - Sziget Festival, Budapest, Ungarn
02 September 2006
Solo Concert for the President of Malta
29 September 2006
Dunyakan Concert in Bukarest, Rumania
2006
N’Faly solo: Im "Musée de Tervuren" ein Konzert für das belgische Königshaus, Belgien
15 February 2007
Afro Celt Sound System - St. Mark's Square, Piazza San Marco, Il Carnevale e Venzia, in Venedig, Italien


11 May 2007
N’Faly Solokonzert beim WOMAD Festival
26 May 2007
Afro Celt Sound System - Slane Castle, in Dublin, Ireland
3 June 2007
Afro Celt Sound System - Wychwood Festival, Cheltenham Race Course, UK
16 June 2007
Afro Celt Sound System - Global Fusion Festival, Herstmonceaux Castle Estate, East Sussex, UK
18 August 2007
Afro Celt Sound System - Deerlycke Folk Festival, Deerlycke, Belgien
19 August 2007
Afro Celt Sound System - Beautiful Days Festival, Escot Park, Nr. Fairmile, Devon, UK
26 September 2007
Dunyakan: Awesome Africa Music Festival Durban, Süd-Afrika
27 September 2007
Dunyakan: Education Workshop Zululand, Süd-Afrika
28 September 2007
Dunyakan: Concert Durban Zululand, Süd-Afrika
29 September 2006
Dunyakan : Concert à Madmar Dam, Süd-Afrika
30 September 2007
Dunyakan: Bushfire Festival, Swasiland (N'Faly ist der Schirmherr des “Bushfire Festival for children victims of AIDS”)
7 October 2007
Afro Celt Sound System - One World Music Festival, Seoul, Süd Korea
20 October 2007
Dunyakan : Festival Galdames Folk, in Bilbao, Spanien
2 December 2007
Afrocelt Millinaris Culture Centre, in Budapest, Ungarn
3 December 2007
Afrocelt Kolcsey Convention Centre, Grand Hall, in Debrecen, Ungarn
2007
Anlässlich der Einweihung eines Krankenhauses spielten N’Faly (Duo) für Prinzessin Mathilde von Belgien.
2007
N’Faly (Duo) spielten anlässlich der Nobelpreisverleihung an Nelson Mandela‘s Frau, die den Preis stellvertretenden für ihren Mann entgegen nahm.
06 – 10 February 2008
Dunyakan : Festival Sauti ya Busara in Zanzibar, Tanzania
20 – 23 February 2008
Dunyakan : Barbados Festival, Karribik
27 April 2008
Dunyakan : Drantouter Sea Festival, Belgien
22 May 2008
Dunyakan: Erster Teil der UK&Irland Tour
23 May 2008
Dunyakan : Festival Africa Day, Cork, Irland
24 May 2008
Dunyakan : Salisbury Festival, UK
25 May 2008
Dunyakan : Festival Castle Donington, UK
19 June 2008
Dunyakan : Exeter Respect Festival, UK
21 June 2008
Dunyakan : Chelsea Festival (Stewart), UK
28 June 2008
Dunyakan : World Music Dance Center, UK
12 July 2008
Dunyakan : Festival Small Nations, in Wales, UK
13 July 2008
Dunyakan : Point in the Park Access, UK
19 July 2008
Dunyakan : Sesiwn Fawr Festival, Dolgellau, in Wales, UK
21 July 2008
Dunyakan : Festival "Francofolie de Spa", Belgien
23 – 27 July 2008
Dunyakan : Zomer Van Antwerpen Festival, Belgien
13 Aout 2008
Dunyakan : Arts Centre Durham, UK
15 August 2008
Dunyakan : Broadstairs Festival, UK
19 September 2008
Dunyakan : Festival Knockengorroch, Schotland
27 September 2008
Dunyakan : Hey Festival Segovia, Spanien
10 October 2008
Dunyakan : Festival Westport in Eoghan, Irland
24 October 2008
Dunyakan : Konzert im " l'Ancienne Belgique" in Brüssel, Belgien
06 December 2008
Dunyakan : Sorts out Tunya, Brüssel
06 May 2009
Dunyakan : Masala Festival, in Hannover, Deutschland
20 - 22 June 2009
Dunyakan : Maroc Festival Rabat; Marrakesh, in Casablanca, Marocco
10 - 14 September 2009
Kora Friends Forever – Konzerte in Brüssel und London, Belgien/UK
06 – 14 November 2009
N’Faly - Tour mit Jayme Stone und seiner Band, UK

Some Milestones:
2011 Release CD Kora Strings (Afroclassic - mix between symphonic orchestra, african musicians and gospel singers), tour in Jamaica
2012 Formula 1, Singapore, tour in South Africa
2013 Concert and Gala for an Economic Forum at the presence of HR Prince Charles, PM David Cameron, PM Malaysia and many other Presidents and high personalities
2014 Production of a new album, tours in Malaysia, Singapore,
2015 Release of his newest album CHANGE in August in London, tour in South Africa

FRANCAIS

« JE PROFITE DE LA MODERNITÉ POUR REMORQUER LA TRADITION » DIXIT N’FALY KOUYATÉ.
N’Faly Kouyaté, ce nom signifie une voix expressive et incontournable, le jeu de la kora qui unit la tradition et la modernité, un charisme sur scène qui attire le public dès le premier moment avec le plus grand sourire du monde.

N’Faly Kouyaté compte parmi les grands artistes d’Afrique de l’Ouest. A part ses propres projets, il est depuis 1996 membre et puis leader du groupe « Afro Celt Sound System ».

Kouyaté, un artiste talentueux, deux fois nominé au Grammy Awards aux USA, récompensé par un disque d’or, détenteur du Guinée Music Award et Talents de Guinée, nominé aux Octaves de la Musique en Belgique, ‘Talent ‘Acoustique’ a TV5, est devenu célèbre en tant que „Jimi Hendrix de la kora ». Il est un adepte de la diversité aussi bien musicale que culturelle.

Il joua à l’occasion de la cérémonie d’ouverture des jeux olympiques à Athènes en 2004, 2003 et 2005 représentant de la francophonie en Egypte et au Canada, lors de la remise d’un prix à la femme de Nelson Mandela en 2007, concert à Londres en présence de Prince Charles et 17 Présidents et Premier Ministres, au Sidney Opera House, Formule 1 à Singapour, Central Park New York et sur des plus grandes scènes du monde.

N’Faly Kouyaté est issu de la plus célèbre famille de griots du Mandingue, région d’Afrique de l’Ouest englobant la Guinée, le Mali, la Gambie, le Sénégal, Burkina Faso …

Il est l’un des fils de Konkoba Kabinet de Siguiri (République de Guinée-Conakry). Konkoba est un grade supérieur des griots. Grade rare (il n’en a existé qu’environ 5 jusqu’à nos jours) il s’acquiert, au prix de dures épreuves et d’une parfaite maitrise des secrets de la vie, y compris des sciences occultes.

N’Faly est un merveilleux chanteur, joueur de kora, conteur, multi-instrumentiste. Formé dans la plus grande rigueur des artistes traditionnels d’Afrique de l’Ouest, il s’ouvre néanmoins très tôt aux courants de musiques les plus universelles (world music, rock, hip-hop, jazz, …). Repéré par le ministère de la culture guinéenne, il bénéficia d’une bourse pour étudier la musique informatique en Europe où la Belgique l’offra la possibilité d’étudier au conservatoire afin d’y enseigner la kora ce qu’il le poussa à ouvrir son propre école NAMUN School en 1996.

En même temps, il créa sa propre structure Namunkanda, qui, avec l’apport de son manager Sandra Werner, s’est agrandi en NAMUN GROUP où ils co-fondent le Festi’Konkoba, festival panafricain des arts qui devient petit à petit la plateforme de la culture africaine au cœur de l’Europe.

Au delà, N’Faly Kouyaté a toujours réalisé des projets humanitaires dont l’envoie du matériel médical aux hôpitaux à Donka et Siguiri, des fournitures pour des écoles et, tout récemment, la construction de 4 puits en 2016 pour donner de l’eau gratuitement à la population guinéenne.

Ses deux derniers albums sont sortis en 2015 à Londres (CHANGE) et 2016 en Angleterre (THE SOURCE, Afro Celt Sound System).

En 2017, création de la fondation « N’Faly Kouyaté – FOLOTHESOURCE ».

Pour l’année 2018, deux albums sont prévu. Date de sortie pas encore déterminée.

WEB: www.nfalykouyate.com, www.folothesource.com

Discographie:

1995 Cross Over the World: Tinder. (Kora, « Mariama »); Crossover Production
1996 Planet Flanders PAN Records, Netherland
1996 Wes Welenga: Wes. Sony Records
1997 Myrdhin: Ars Celtica.
1997 (Kora) N’Toman Keita. N’Dania. (Kora, backing vocals).
1998 Alan Stivell. I Douar. Disques Dreyfus. (Kora).
1998 Chris Joris. Live qt Middleheim. De Werf. (Kora).
1999 Afro Celt Sound System. Volume 2: Release. Realworld.
2001 Afro Celt Sound System. Volume 3: Further in Time. Realworld..
2001 N’Faly Kouyaté and Dunyakan. N’na Kandje. Namun Records.
2003 Afro Celt Sound System. Seed. Realworld.
2003 Jesse Cook. Nomad. Narada. (Kora).
2003 Robert Plant. Sixty Six to Timbuktu. Atlantic. (Kora).
2004 N’Faly Kouyaté. Kora Grooves. ARC Music.
2004 Zap Mama – Marie Daulne. Ancestry in Progress.
2005 Afro Celt Sound System. Volume 5: Anatomic. Realworld.
2008 N’Faly Kouyaté and Dunyakan. Tunya. Galileo Music.
2010 Afro Celt Sound System. Capture. Realworld.
2011 N’Faly Kouyaté. Kora Strings. NAMUN Records.
2012 Neill Solomon. Uptown Rhythm.
2012 Shabalala Rhtythm. Please call me.
2015 N’Faly Kouyaté. CHANGE. NAMUN Records.
2016 Afro Celt Sound System. The Source
Albums à venir

2018 URC – NN

2018 Afro Celt Sound System – NN