The Performers
Voice
Flute
Violin

Kora
Djembe

Kenkeni
Sangban, Dununba

Balaphone
Dancer

Moussa Traore

Tapani Demba
Abdoulaye Diabate
Yazhi Guo

Tim Reynolds
Yacouba Sissoko
Moussa Traore
Weedie Braimah
Issa Coulibaly

Joe Galeota
Munir Richard
Allison Stamiris
Balla Kouyate
Djeneba Sako
Soulaymane Sana
Daniella Kyle

Moussa Traore was born and raised in Mali, West Africa. He has been playing the djembe

for over 30 years, and in 1984, after completing a 12-year apprenticeship, he was

deemed a “master” by his teacher, Sega Cisse. Moussa has achieved great recognition

throughout Mali as an accomplished musician in the theater, in traditional ceremonies,

as well as in the Malian pop scene. Among musicians in Bamako, Moussa is considered

to be one of the top djembe players in the country. Since moving to the U.S., Moussa

has continued to distinguish himself as a highly respected teacher and performer. He has

given drum workshops in cities throughout the U.S. Currently, he is teaching at schools,

offering weekly community classes, leading drum ensembles for West African dance
classes, and performing for special events and workshops.