Djeli Moussa Diawara

Djeli Moussa Diawara, [born 1962 in Kankan, Guinea] is a Kora player (Korafola), a composer, and singer. Djeli Moussa Diawara (also known as Jali Musa Jawara) was born to a family of the Griot tribe. His father was a balafon player, and his mother a singer. His half-brother, sharing the same mother, is Mory Kanté. He became a « jali » or « djeli », mandingo word for Griot. He learned to play the balafon, the kora and the guitar. At 18 he played with his half-brother, who led the legendary Rail Band, in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. Starting his solo career, he worked with Djenne Doumbia, a great singer who later joined Salif Keita's group. In 1983, his first LP Yasimika was recorded. It is still considered a great piece of African music...