Yacouba Sissoko

Teaches at New York Jazz Workshop

Yacouba Sissoko was born in Kita, Mali, to a well-known djely family. Djelys are the musical storytellers in West Africa, a position that is inherited through a family bloodline. For centuries they have been the keepers of the factual history and the fictional fables of past rulers, nobles, social groups and families. Highly respected within their communities, djelys are responsible for keeping stories of the past alive and applicable to contemporary audiences. The kora was the traditional instrument that djelys played as the accompaniment to their songs.

At the age of 9, Yacouba started learning the kora and the oral traditions associated with it from his grandfather. By 15, he was touring the country sharing the stories that had been passed down through his family for centuries. Yacouba lived with his grandparents until he moved to Bamako, Mali’s capital, to attend the National Institute of the Arts. Based in the capital, he caught the attention of the music world and began touring with noted artists and ensembles such as Ami Koita, Kandia Kouyate, and l’Ensemble Instrumental National du Mali, the orchestra that both his mother and grandmother had sung with. By the time he finished his studies, he was also touring with many great musical names in Mali.

Yacouba moved to New York City in 1998. Immediately he was in high demand as a soloist, guest artist and collaborator. He performed, toured and recorded with both well known African musicians such as Baaba Maal, Sekou (Bambino) Diabate and Kerfala Kante, and with new up and coming ones such as Tapani Demba, and Awa Sangho. He was also a founding member of Super Mande, Tamalalou and Fula Flute.

Yacouba was not limited to African music. He began to transcend musical boundaries and was soon playing with jazz, pop, R&B, and classical musicians. Since then, he has recorded and performed with a variety of artists including Harry Belafonte, Paul Simon, Leroy Jenkins and Leni Stern and has been asked to play anything from Indian ragas to Appalachian tunes. He has recorded tracks on over 15 CDs with artists ranging from Sidiki Conde to Jayme Stone, and from Regina Carter to Rahim Alhaj.