BéréSanké Percussion, Kocassalé Dioubaté, Hand-made drums, Workshops, Performances
Hand-made African drums, instruments, music, workshops and performances.
About Kocassalé Dioubaté
Kocassalé Dioubaté (pronounced Coca-SA-lay Dee-ou-BAT-ay) is a Guinean of the Malinke (Mandingo) tribe of West Africa. A descendant of the tribe's "Griots" - traditional storytellers and musicians; the keepers of the tribe's oral history - Koca has been dancing, playing and making music since he was old enough to walk.
He was named after his grandfather, who was a musician in the very first national troupe of Guinea (Les Ballets Africains Ballets Nationale de Guinée) under the guidance of the great Guinean musician Koca Bangora. From these men, Kocassalé learned to play and build the traditional instruments of their tribe.
He honed his drumming skills playing with his father, Lansana Dioubaté - Master Drummer and Vocalist - at ceremonies and events all over Guinea.
Koca’s dynamic and magnetic energy, along with his finely-honed musical skills, create
a performance unlike any other. Using only handmade, authentic West African musical instruments that he makes himself - including the Djembe, Balafon (xylophone), Bolon (african bass), Gongoma (gourd thumb-piano) and Flute among others - Koca captures the essence of Malinke culture through its music. His original compositions set to traditional rhythms
transport audiences straight to Africa.
Since his arrival to Canada in 2005, Koca has had the opportunity to play at schools. shows and festivals all over Canada, including
Island MusicFest,
both Calgary and Vancouver’s Afrikadey Festival, Vancouver Children's Festival, the
Filberg Festival,
KootsRoots
and
InTheHouse, and many many others.
Career highlights to date include playing as Head Drummer for Ballet Kaloum Lolé in Guinea, soloist for Ballet Bougarabou in Senegal, recording with renowned drummer Moussa M'Boum in the Gambia and playing in concert with Senegalese superstar Youssou N'Dour.
