Mah Damba
Encyclopedia
Mah Damba is a traditional griot
singer. She comes from a family of griots: her father, Djeli Baba Sissoko (not to be confused with the younger musician Baba Sissoko
), was a griot and her aunt, Fanta Damba
, is also considered a top vocalist.
Early in her career, she was part of Kassemady Diabaté's ensemble, and later was part of Mandé Foli. She recorded two solo albums, Nyarela (Buda/Musique du Monde) in 1997 and Djelimousso, Mali: The Voice of the Mande (Trema/Sony
) in 2000, as contributed three tracks to The Divas from Mali (World Network) in 1998. In 1999, she contributed vocals to one track on composer Jonathan Elias
' international choral project, The Prayer Cycle
.
Her band is composed of traditional instruments, such as the ngoni
(played by her husband Mamaye Kouyaté), kora
(played by Djeli Moussa Diawara) and bala
(played by Lansiné Kouyaté).
Griot
A griot or jeli is a West African storyteller. The griot delivers history as a poet, praise singer, and wandering musician. The griot is a repository of oral tradition. As such, they are sometimes also called bards...
singer. She comes from a family of griots: her father, Djeli Baba Sissoko (not to be confused with the younger musician Baba Sissoko
Baba Sissoko
Baba Sissoko is a musician and vocalist. Sissoko is a master of the talking drums...
), was a griot and her aunt, Fanta Damba
Fanta Damba
Fanta Damba is a Malian jalimuso known to her fans as La Grand Vedette Malienne. She began singing as a child, growing up in a family of musicians. She began recording in her early twenties with Radio Mali. In 1975, she became the first jalimuso to tour Europe solo...
, is also considered a top vocalist.
Early in her career, she was part of Kassemady Diabaté's ensemble, and later was part of Mandé Foli. She recorded two solo albums, Nyarela (Buda/Musique du Monde) in 1997 and Djelimousso, Mali: The Voice of the Mande (Trema/Sony
Sony
, commonly referred to as Sony, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan and the world's fifth largest media conglomerate measured by revenues....
) in 2000, as contributed three tracks to The Divas from Mali (World Network) in 1998. In 1999, she contributed vocals to one track on composer Jonathan Elias
Jonathan Elias
Jonathan Elias is a U.S. composer and record producer, known for his movie soundtracks, production for several pop and rock acts, and his award-winning advertising music including the PBS logo instrumental from October 1, 1984 to October 1, 1989....
' international choral project, The Prayer Cycle
The Prayer Cycle
The Prayer Cycle is a choral/orchestral album by American film and television composer Jonathan Elias, and was released by Sony Classical Records in the United States on March 23, 1999.The project, recorded and mixed by co-producer R...
.
Her band is composed of traditional instruments, such as the ngoni
Xalam
Xalam, also spelled khalam, is the Wolof name for a traditional stringed musical instrument from West Africa. The xalam is thought to have originated from modern-day Mali, but some believe that, in antiquity, the instrument may have originated from ancient Egypt...
(played by her husband Mamaye Kouyaté), kora
Kora (instrument)
The kora is a 21-string bridge-harp used extensively in West Africa.-Description:A kora is built from a large calabash cut in half and covered with cow skin to make a resonator, and has a notched bridge. It does not fit well into any one category of western instruments and would have to be...
(played by Djeli Moussa Diawara) and bala
Balafon
The balafon is a resonated frame, wooden keyed percussion idiophone of West Africa; part of the idiophone family of tuned percussion instruments that includes the xylophone, marimba, glockenspiel, and the vibraphone...
(played by Lansiné Kouyaté).