TRIO SIDIKIBA COULIBALY

Griots and hunters from Mali
Part 1

Sidikiba Coulibaly : song, harpe-luth simbi
Samba Diabaté : guitar, jeli n'goni, percussion
Vincent Zanetti : percussion, guitar, kamele n'goni

The collaboration between the Manden's precentor of hunters Sidikiba Coulibaly and Vincent Zanetti produces delicate arrangements that are both modern and respectful of tradition. It is a collaboration that has occurred several times in concert (notably in opening for Bassekou Kouyaté and Sékouba Bambino Diabaté). The addition of Samba Diabaté, one of the most brilliant guitarists from Bamako, brings joyous melodic counterpoints to the mix and bridges the two traditional patrimonies that are essential to Malian culture: that of the hunters and that of the Mandinka griots.

One of the traits that distinguishes Sidikiba Coulibaly from other players of the simbi is his creativity: some of his compositions are already part of Manden hunters' shared patrimony. As for Samba Diabaté, who was born into a family of griots in Kita, he learned the art of balafon from a young age before moving on to the guitar, and then the jeli n'goni. He also performed in the legendary Soungalo Coulibaly group with Vincent Zanetti.