Kissima Diabate

Kissima Diabate was exposed to the djembe from birth. He was born into a well-known griot family in Dakar, Senegal, which originally migrated, from Mali. He followed his singing mother and father, accompanying the great master drummers. At an early age, during the period that he was enrolled in school, Kissima played in different ensembles. He was a member of the „Ballet Deco Afrique”. At the age of 12, he started his professional career as a djembe soloist in the famous „Ballet d’Afrique Noir”. Four years later, Kissima Diabate joined the “Ballet National Du Senegal” as a solo drummer and dancer on an eight-year tour. He is a skilled percussionist, performing at a multitude of well-known venues. His expertise for teaching djembe and dance classes are renown. Kissima Diabate has organized and directed a number of performing groups such as „Keur Senegal”, „Nunou Diapo”, „Jam Ak Jam”, and „Groupe Kiss”. Among his accomplishments, Kissima has produced numerous recordings including five CD’s. With „Jam Ak Jam”, a percussionist group that includes the kora (a West African harp-like instrument) as well as with various artists Kissima plays many different instruments including the djembe, dioun dioun (base drums), sabar, tama (talking drum), seouraba, bougarabou and balafon. Kissima also sings, composes and arranges rhythms. In addition, Kissima experiments with his music and collaborates with musicians of other musical styles and backgrounds. Kissima performs and teaches throughout Africa, Europe and the United States. With his explosive energy and musical genius, Kissima inspires and moves everyone in which he and his music comes in contact with wherever he travels in the world.