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Alpha Yaya Diallo
(Guinea)
Biography
Alpha Yaya Diallo is a multi-instrumentalist, although guitar player in the first place,
he also plays several percussion instruments and the balafon. When he was young, he lived in various parts of the country,
which enabled him to absorb both Malinke and Soussou culture in addition to his own Pular culture. He spent some time in Senegal as well,
where he was exposed to the hot mbalax rhythms.
Diallo taught himself to play guitar, and soon he played with existing orchestras like Syli Authentique. Few years later, he had the opportunity to come to Europe where he started playing with Fatala in 1990. Since Fatala was recording for the Real World label, they toured extensively on many World Music Festivals such as WOMAD. During Fatala's 1991 tour in North America, Alpha decided to stay and settle in Canada (Vancouver). Already in 1993, he was able to release a first acoustic album in Canada, and since then several others followed. He toured in Canada in 1994 and 1996, and throughout 1999 and 2000, he toured in Canada and the USA.
On his 2001 album « The Journey », Salif Keita's guitarist Ousmane Kouyaté is co-producer and guitarist.
Diallo taught himself to play guitar, and soon he played with existing orchestras like Syli Authentique. Few years later, he had the opportunity to come to Europe where he started playing with Fatala in 1990. Since Fatala was recording for the Real World label, they toured extensively on many World Music Festivals such as WOMAD. During Fatala's 1991 tour in North America, Alpha decided to stay and settle in Canada (Vancouver). Already in 1993, he was able to release a first acoustic album in Canada, and since then several others followed. He toured in Canada in 1994 and 1996, and throughout 1999 and 2000, he toured in Canada and the USA.
On his 2001 album « The Journey », Salif Keita's guitarist Ousmane Kouyaté is co-producer and guitarist.
Alpha Yaya Diallo
Born: 1962, in Conakry, Guinea
Style: modernised traditional music / mandingo music
Discography
| Title | Year | Label | Remarks |
| Immé | 2010 | Jericho Beach Music JBM 1001 | |
| Djama | 2005 | Jericho Beach Music JBM 0501 | |
| The Journey | 2001 | Jericho Beach Music | |
| The Message | 1999 | Wicklow Records 09026-63407-2 | (BMG) |
| Aduna ("The World") | 1997 | Tinder 304499-2 | (Sampler) |
| Futur | 1996 | Bedouin Productions | |
| Néné | 1993 | Bafing Productions SA 93279CD |
Page added October 2001