Teaching history through music - N'Faly Kouyate takes Guinean tradition to the world

Marcia Rowe, Sunday Gleaner Writer

It was his dream to come to Jamaica and he was delighted when it happened.

In addressing the audience during his act at the opening concert of the Ocho Rios Jazz Festival last Saturday, N'Faly Kouyate told the audience that he had travelled to other countries but never felt as much love as he felt in Jamaica. And, of course, the audience showed more love with another round of applause, to someone that most had not heard of prior to his performance on the evening.

But at the end of the show last week, none will forget him and his charming personality.

So who is N'Faly Kouyate? Showing no tell-tale signs of someone who had only received his luggage including his instruments during the show, a day after arriving in Jamaica, he gave The Sunday Gleaner a brief insight into his music and his background.

Kouyate was born in Guinea, West Africa, but resides in Brussels, though he spends a lot of time in Africa.

He has been a musician for a long time. But unlike most musicians who remember the age they started their musical career, he is unable to do so. "I can't tell from when I started music," he said.

Both Kouyate's parents are giroits - guardian of the culture and history. They use music to teach the culture and history of Africa. And as such, from conception his parents played music to him.

Kouyate does recall, though, that his first instrument was a small one.

The band leader of Dunyakan was taught to play the kora by his father "My father, grandfather; all my ancestors play the kora - an African harp with twenty-one strings," he explained.

They were all giroits. Like his parents and forefathers, Kouyate continues to tell the story of Africa in music but admitted he arranges the songs with a modern twist.

The kora is not the only instrument that the two-time Grammy winner plays. He also plays the balofon, a large xylophone (unfortunately that instrument was left in Brussels). Kouyate explained that on the balofon he plays sankarana, an upper-Guinea traditional rhythm - that may be one of the roots of jazz music. But he is not sure.

inspiration by people

Kouyate writes musical lyrics too. The source of his inspiration comes from people, situation and his life. This is evident in his band's newest 13-track CD titled Tunya (Truth). The themes of the CD vary from the environment in Love Hyppo, social issues in Destinee, and love in Lanya Kassa.

Though the songs are in French, the CD still has a hold on English speakers. Not only because the lyrics, written in the booklet, are translated in English, but the music is universal.

All the songs are fantastic and the presence of mento and jazz are evident. However, the most amazing selection is Atypical Conversation. On that track percussion instruments almost literally have a conversation with African drums.

So what does the tall Guinean think of Jamaica?

"First time in Jamaica and that's the end of my long dream - to come to Jamaica," was really how the conversation with The Sunday Gleaner began.

The structure of his sentence was a clear indication that English was not his first language. However, he claimed Bob and Ziggy Marley to be his favourite Jamaican artistes.

Kouyate is the first African to perform at the Jamaica Ocho Rios International Jazz Festival; he promised that with his collection of instruments available, he will change the subject from history to dance songs.

Myrna Hague, one of the organisers of the festival, said she was very honoured to have him performing at the show - this year - designated as the International Year for People of African Descent.