Kassoum Traoré

Malian musician Kassoum Traore was born on August 14, 1979 in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire. He grew up in a large family of traditional drummers and began learning to play the djembe at the age of five with his uncle Dougoutigi Keita. Dougoutigi was a professional djembe master who had performed not only all over West Africa, but also in France and other parts of Europe.

When Kassoum was nine years old, his elder brother Adama Traore who was playing with the singing star Mahawa Traore at the time, invited him to join their band. Adama was a very strict teacher who punished Kassoum if his djembe accompaniment wasn't quick enough and for other musical infractions. He learned a lot but also suffered a lot at his brother's hands. To escape his family, Kassoum ran away and joined a band of young musicians in Agbobo, a small town close to Abidjan, where they performed for traditional events.

In 1994 he joined the group Yelenba and resumed his studies with his brother Adama and his uncle Dougoutigi. He began to take solo drumming more seriously at this time and received his master soloist degree from his uncle when he played the djembe solo for seven days straight during a traditional festival. After this event he was frequently asked to perform solo with bands in Abidjan and other parts of the Cote d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso and Mali.

In 1997 he performed with the World Music group Argile on their West African tour through the Cote d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso, and Togo. During the same year he also completed a successful recording with Mahawa Traore. In 1998 he again joined Argile for their European tour. He played with Argile on their Mandingo Festival CD as well as with Madagascar singer/guitarist Haja Madagascar, Guinean singer Sona Diabate, and most recently with Ghanean drummer, Ahistey Nsotse on Bush Taxi from Bamako to Accra CD.

In addition to playing professionally, Kassoum Traore also conducts African drum clinics and workshops all over Germany. For workshop dates please look at "On Tour". If you would like to invite Kassoum Traore to particpate in or conduct a djembe workshop for your percussion group or school or would like more information, please contact Dieter Weberpals at weberpals@bibiafrica.de or call 0049-911-553510.