Guimba Kouyate

The story behind the sound

The roots of storytelling musician and composer Guimba Kouyate’s talents are deeply familial as he was born into one of the greatest Jali (Griots) families in Mali. His grandfather Djeli Baba Sissoko was one of Mali’s most respected Goni players. His father Mamaye Kouyate, a Goni player, and his mother Mah Damba, a Griot singer, taught him the craft of musicianship in his youth. This tradition-based musical upbringing empowered Guimba to retain his authenticity throughout his career, even with the addition of modern sounds and techniques to his music. The juxtaposition of old and new creates a sound unique solely to Guimba, but also exercised in collaboration with artists like Blick Bassy, Cheick Tidiane Seck, Oumou Sangare, and others.