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Fodé Baro
(Guinea)
Biography
Fodé Baro was born in Kissidougou in the Kankan region of Guinea.
His father, Ibrahim Khalil Baro, was a prominent islamic teacher (marabout) and his mother,
Samatenin Touré, nurtured him with her fula (Peul) culture. Fodé's mixed origin (his father being
malinké) broadened his horizon, but his first interest in music, inspired by the great and late
Aboubacar Demba Camara (of Bembeya Jazz),
was stopped by his family as both parents are of noble descent, who are not supposed to sing or make music.
In addition, the long tradition of his father's family in engaging in islamic teaching played a significant role in
rejecting his musical activities. These activities, nevertheless, had already took off when he was a teenager and he
played percussion, n'goni and guitar at various occasions including cocktail parties at the presidential palace.
Because of the difficulties with his family, Fodé quit school and left for Sierra Leone and Liberia. During those
difficult years, a French priest helped him out and teached him to read musical notes,
and Fodé even sang in a church choir.
In 1985, Fodé Baro returns to Guinea where he met Myriam Makeba, who introduced him to her daughter Bongi Makeba who was looking for a bass player in her band. For a period of 8 months, Fodé played with Bongi during her European tour, and they made an album together. The untimely death of Bongi put an early end to this fruitful cooperation, and Fodé entered the band Les Messagers of Mory Findian.
In 1985, Fodé Baro returns to Guinea where he met Myriam Makeba, who introduced him to her daughter Bongi Makeba who was looking for a bass player in her band. For a period of 8 months, Fodé played with Bongi during her European tour, and they made an album together. The untimely death of Bongi put an early end to this fruitful cooperation, and Fodé entered the band Les Messagers of Mory Findian.
Album cover « Aventurier »
Looking for an international career, he settled in Paris in 1990. He entered the Bastille school of music and starts
creating his own style, afro-zouk-mandingue. Together with musical arranger Philippe Guez he
records a first solo album, « Donsoké » (Hunter) in 1992.
During the mid-1990s, Fodé Baro was an important
participant in the « Sans Papiers » compilation albums, produced by Ibrahima
Sylla. Fodé was involved in the first three out of the series of four albums, either as singer, arranger or as
bass player.
His second album « Aventurier » has been an even bigger success as major African radio stations such as Africa No.1, RFI, MCM Africa aired his song « Yirikikiki » extensively. Both this, and his Sans Papiers contributions, have turned him into the best-known Guinean artist in other parts of Africa outside his home country.
The album « Foufafou » (meaning "nothing" in Susu) has been partly recorded in Senegal (with the help of Philippe Monteiro), and some songs have been recorded in Abidjan (with featurings by DJ Lewis, DJ Bordo and Soum Bill). In late 2008, Fodé Baro received the Djembe d'or award in Conakry for the first cassette volume, « Foufafou, Acte I ».
Musicians on the "Aventurier" album:
His second album « Aventurier » has been an even bigger success as major African radio stations such as Africa No.1, RFI, MCM Africa aired his song « Yirikikiki » extensively. Both this, and his Sans Papiers contributions, have turned him into the best-known Guinean artist in other parts of Africa outside his home country.
The album « Foufafou » (meaning "nothing" in Susu) has been partly recorded in Senegal (with the help of Philippe Monteiro), and some songs have been recorded in Abidjan (with featurings by DJ Lewis, DJ Bordo and Soum Bill). In late 2008, Fodé Baro received the Djembe d'or award in Conakry for the first cassette volume, « Foufafou, Acte I ».
Musicians on the "Aventurier" album:
Fodé Baro lead vocals;
Sekouba Bambino lead vocal on « Mami Wata » ;
Hadja Maningbe, Amy Bamba, Monique Lesueur backing vocals;
Marie Celine Crone backing vocal;
Herman Fleuret guitar "zouk";
Lenke Conde guitar;
Ibrahima Soumano solo guitar;
Guy Nsangue bass;
Adama Conde balafon;
Yeye Kante percussion;
Sekouba Bambino lead vocal on « Mami Wata » ;
Hadja Maningbe, Amy Bamba, Monique Lesueur backing vocals;
Marie Celine Crone backing vocal;
Herman Fleuret guitar "zouk";
Lenke Conde guitar;
Ibrahima Soumano solo guitar;
Guy Nsangue bass;
Adama Conde balafon;
Yeye Kante percussion;
Sekou Bembeya guitar on « Mami Wata » ;
Syran M'Benza guitar « Camara Ami » ;
Alain Hatot saxophone;
Philippe Slominsky trumpet;
Jacques Bolognesi trombone;
Jeannot Zabulon keyboards, programming & arrangements on « Yirikikiki », « Mon amour » and « Mami Wata » ;
Philippe Guez keyboards, programming & arrangements.
Syran M'Benza guitar « Camara Ami » ;
Alain Hatot saxophone;
Philippe Slominsky trumpet;
Jacques Bolognesi trombone;
Jeannot Zabulon keyboards, programming & arrangements on « Yirikikiki », « Mon amour » and « Mami Wata » ;
Philippe Guez keyboards, programming & arrangements.
Born: 24 May 1976, in Kissidougou (Kankan region)
Style: Mandingo music / afro-zouk
Discography
| Title | Year | Label | Remarks |
| Personne n'est dieu | 2021 | Lusafrica | |
| La vérité | 2013 | Lusafrica | |
| Libération | 2010 | Lusafrica | |
| Foufafou | 2008 | Syllart / Guibel Music | In Guinea, released on 2 cassettes, Foufafou Acte I and Acte II |
| Débrouillons-nous | 2006 | Syllart | |
| Sangali - l'Agitateur | 2003 | Self-produced/Syllart | |
| Aventurier | 2000 | Syllart SYLAF 96085 | The African cassette release was named "Junior" |
| Donsoke | 1996 | Stern's Music STCD 1067 | Release by Stern's Music |
| Donsoke | 1992 | Syllart 38136-2 | |
| Urgence | 199? | Mali K7 | African release of Donsoke |
Sources
Fode Baro website www.fodebarolive.com [now non-valid link];
Article Le Grand Soir [external link];
Lydia's Musikseite [external link].
Interview with GuineeConakryInfo [http://www.guineeconakry.info (retrieved July 2009)].
Fode Baro website www.fodebarolive.com [now non-valid link];
Article Le Grand Soir [external link];
Lydia's Musikseite [external link].
Interview with GuineeConakryInfo [http://www.guineeconakry.info (retrieved July 2009)].
Page added August 2009