Fotoba brings to life the vibrant dances and pulsating rhythms of Guinea, West Africa.
Performing celebratory dance and percussion pieces representing the folkloric traditions of several different West African ethnic groups, this mixed group of African and American artists light the stage with a spirit of joy and a message of cultural unity.
Fotoba features master dancers and drummers, many who were formerly members of Guinea's world-renowned national company, Les Ballets Africains, Fotoba brings you the heartbeat of Africa.
Selected Members:
Yamoussa Camara (Djembe):
Yamoussa is a master dancer and drummer (Djembefola) for Guinea who currently resides in CT. While with Les Ballets Africans, Yamoussa was the company’s youngest lead drummer. Yamoussa originally came to the United States in 1995, at which time he made the CD "Master of the Forest" with Paolo Mattioli and Les Merveilles d'Afrique. Yamoussa also plays the djembe and provides lead vocals on Les Merveilles d'Afrique's CD, "Diya; and on Abdoulaye’s CD, “Abdoulaye Sylla and One World”.
Anastasia Coulate (Dancer):
Anastasia is one of Fotoba’s newest members. She specializes in both African dancing and Caribbean dancing. Born in St. Lucia, West Indies, these dancing styles are native to her and are a part of her culture. Anastasia presently resides in Bloomfield , CT where she is a registered nurse.
Mabinty Keira (Dancer):
Mabinty is a master dancer from Les Merveilles D’Afrique. She is originally from Guinea,
West Africa and presently resides in NYC.
Lansana Toure (Djembe):
Lansana is a master Djembefola from Les Merveilles D’Afrique. He is originally from Guinea,
West Africa and presently resides in NYC. He teaches in NYC and CT.
Mangue Sylla (Doun-doun; djembe):
Mangue Sylla was born in Conakry, West Africa. He started playing music at the age of 10. Sengbe was his first and is his favorite instrument. He learned to play the sengbe from some of the best teachers and performers, including Lamine Bayo, Kanda, Lancey and Numundi. Mangue became a professional musician soon after mastering the sengbe. Mangue worked as a sengbe teacher for 6 years at Jean Paul II Children's School. He joined "Les Merveilles De Guinea" in 1993 and traveled throughout Africa. Mangue moved to the U.S. in 1998, and now lives in New York City teaching doun-doun and djembe classes.
Abou Sylla (Balafon; doun-doun; djembe):
Abou was born in Kindia, a village in Guinea, West Africa. His primary instrument is the balafon (a wooden xylophone), which he started playing at the age of 5; he in considered one of the world's best balafon players. Abou Sylla traveled around the world with the internationally acclaimed Les Ballets Africains, the Guinean national dance troupe, and the To Kouyate Company, a traditional music ensemble. He recieved the Artists' Fellowship in Music Composition with the New York Foundation of Arts in 2000. He continues to perform with the award winning group Les Merveilles d'Afrique. He also performs with several contemporary and traditional music groups, including DeBlatt, Super Mandeng and African Blue Note Band, among others. Abou teaches workshops in traditional African music all over the U.S., including at the University of Florida, and at Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT.
Aly Diabate (Doun-doun; sengbe; kenkeni):
Aly is a master doundoun player from Guinea, West Africa. He has toured extensively with Les Ballets Africains and Les Merveilles D’Afrique.