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 Born in 1982 in a
prominent jèlílua jèlí (plural, jèlílu) is a bard, loremaster, and praise-singer in the Manding areas whose functions are story-telling, speaking about
lineages, singing and playing music as he want and hear it... Read more. (griots) family in Mali, Mamadou Sidiki Diabate, alias « Madou » is the youngest son of the late Sidiki Diabate
After the World War War II, the kora has been popularized world wide by Sidiki Diabate and Jeli Madi Sissoko... Read more. and Mariam Kouyate.
Madou began playing kora at the age of three, and became part of the seventy-first
generation of korafoláluA kora player is called korafolá (who is able to make the kora talk) - korafolálu, plural. in
his family. He was initiated by his father on an eight-stringed kora. From Sidiki, Madou learned the repertoire, technique and magic of the
kora. He developed as a jèlía jèlí (plural, jèlílu) is a bard, loremaster, and praise-singer in the Manding areas whose
functions are story-telling, speaking about lineages, singing and playing music as he want and hear it... Read more. through the years by accompanying his parents as they traveled
and performed. At the age of six, he played his first concert, at the Centre Culturel Français of Bobodioulasso, Burkina Faso.
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In 1992, Madou became the youngest ever to perform solo kora on Malian Television. Since 1997, he has filled his brother Toumani's former position as lead kora for some of the best singers and musicians in West Africa, including Kandia Kouyaté, Ami Koita, Baaba MaalBaaba Maal is well-talented as multi-instrumentalist and singer gifted with a high piched and impressive voice... Read more., Salif Keita
Very great artist from Mali, Salif Keita has so much contributed to large spreading of African world music all around the world... Read more., Sekouba Bambino Diabate, especially on the record Mande Jeliou, The art and soul of the mande griots. 
Madou's older brother is the first Grammy-Award winning kora player, Toumani
Diabate
Toumani Diabaté is the son of the legendary korafolá Sidiki Diabaté .Virtuoso korafolá, Toumani Diabate has much contributed to kora... Read more.. Toumani recorded the world's first solo kora album, KairaDuring the years 1940 and 1950, when the movement for independence started, «Kaira» was the name adopted by the association of the young jelis of the city Kita... Read more
about., and has collaborated with musicians from all over the world, including Taj Mahal, Ketama, and Roswell Rudd to name a few. Toumani's reaction to Mariam was remarquable : « Mariam is
the best solo kora album to date. I listen to it all the time and I am so pleased that my brother has chosen to record this traditional music in a time when so
many African musicians are moving in a more modern direction. »
In the end of the year of 2011, Madou is back with a tremendous album, born from a a six-year project created by the
Anglo-cuban pianist, Alex Wilson : Mali Latino.
« The Mali Latino project has been a six-year labour of love for the award-winning pianist and composer Alex Wilson, starting as a residency and a commission from Aldeburgh Music. Alex
teamed up with Malian master kora player Madou Sidiki Diabaté (brother to Toumani) and the multi-instrumentalist Ahmed Fofana to try and create a fresh and vibrant
synthesis that drew meaningful connections between the two main musical traditions represented: West African Mandé and Afro-Cuba.
Without a doubt the three band leaders have succeeded in creating an album that not only fuses the musical traditions of Mali with those of Latin America but makes the whole lot
incorporate jazz, blues, funk and classical without losing a jot of integrity. No mean feat.
It's a sumptuous album - not just the fabulous music itself but also through the fantastic arrangements. Add the excellent production values and beautiful recording quality (at Realworld
Studios amongst others) and this is a must-have. »
In autumn 2012, Madou recorded an acoustic album Live in India from his featuring live at the
festival Amarrass (New Delhi), november 2011.
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Mande Jeliou, The art and soul of the mande griots- © 2004 - Syllart |
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Madou Sidiki Diabate, Mariam -Traditional kora Music from Mali, © 2007-KSK |
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Madou Sidiki Diabate, Buru ju © 2010, Madou Sidiki Diabaté Production |
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Madou Sidiki Diabate, Ahmed Fofana & Alex Wilson, Mali Latino © 2010, Alex Wilson Records |
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Madou Sidiki Diabate, Live in India © 2012, Amarrass Records |
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