Overview

The master djembéfola-in his own words. Discover the magic and intrigue of West Africa in the long-awaited English version of Famoudou Konaté's book. Memoirs of an African Musician tells the remarkable life story of Famoudou Konaté, a master of the djembé from Guinea, West Africa. Rooted in the traditions of his Malinké homeland, where music and rhythm are woven into the fabric of life, Konaté takes the reader on a journey deep into African traditions, across continents during a groundbreaking international career, and back again to where it started, to the heart of a culture that has endured through centuries of trials and hardships. Along the way, Konaté unveils the mysteries of the djembé and its accompanying instruments, revealing rare insights into rhythms, techniques, and the cultural meanings behind the music. Beyond the drum, he offers a portrait of life in Malinké society-its traditions, struggles, and values-while reflecting on his experiences of bridging worlds, from remote Guinean villages to stages around the globe. His story is a testament to resilience, cultural pride, and the universal language of music, inviting readers to experience the rhythms of West Africa in an entirely new way. Introduction by Professor Thomas Ott. Translated by Dave Kobrenski, with cultural and historical footnotes.

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Reviews

""A rare glimpse into a world seldom seen by outsiders, made all the more special by the fact that it comes to us from the source: an African man writing about African culture. A captivating and unique first-person account that should be on the reading list of anyone interested in African music and culture."" - Dave Kobrenski, author of Finding the Source and Djoliba Crossing

Author Information

Dr. Thomas Ott, born in 1945 in Walsrode, Germany, is a scholar and educator specializing in African music and intercultural learning. He served as a Professor of Music Education at the Berlin University of the Arts and the University of Cologne. Ott has contributed to numerous development cooperation projects in Guinea and Malawi, living in Guinea with his wife, Eva Ott, for three years.Ott first met Famoudou Konaté in The Gambia in 1994, and together they published the book and CD Rhythms and Songs from Guinea in 1997. Ott edited and compiled Konaté's autobiographical writings into this book. Dave Kobrenski is an artist, musician and author who loves a good adventure and travels to West Africa frequently. When he's not traveling, he makes art and music, builds flutes, writes and illustrates books, and hangs out with shamans and healers whenever possible.Dave is the author of several books, including Djoliba Crossing, Drawing on Culture, and Finding the Source. He translated Famoudou Konaté's memoir, ""Memoirs of an African Musician."" Famoudou Konaté, born in 1940 near Kouroussa in French Guinea, is a legendary master of the djembé. He began performing on the instrument at age eight during village festivals. From 1959 to 1985, he served as the lead soloist for Les Ballets Africains de la République de Guinée, an internationally acclaimed ensemble that showcased Guinea's cultural heritage after independence. Since 1986, Konaté has toured and taught extensively around the world.His music was first documented internationally on the 1991 CD Rhythms of the Malinké, produced by the Berlin Museum of Ethnology. In 1996, he was named an honorary professor of African music at the Berlin University of the Arts. Konaté has recorded numerous CDs featuring traditional rhythms and songs. Between 1997 and 2014, he authored several hundred autobiographical notes in French, which form the foundation of this book, edited and compiled by Thomas Ott.Today, Konaté resides in his home village of Sangbaralla in Guinea.

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