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About

Bolokada Conde, Master Drummer of the Mande tradition, was born in Kissidougou, Guinea, West Africa. According to family legend, his mother knew when he was only two years old that he would be a drummer. Bolokada is held in high esteem in his home city and has received recognition from the ministry of culture for his artistry. In 1996 Bolokada became lead soloist of Les Percussions de Guinée, Guinea’s premiere percussion ensemble. He toured the United States and Europe, gaining an international reputation as a djembe player. He has received numerous awards and accolades for his music. He has performed with Elvin Jones, Joan Baez, and Mickey Hart. Since 2004, he has been performing as well as teaching in Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, and South America. From August 2008 to December 2011 he was a full-time visiting artist at the University of Illinois School of Music. While there, he gave drumming classes for the community and in the public schools as part of the Robert E. Brown Center’s “World Music and Dance in the Schools” program. He has been living in S.C. since 2012 (Greenville, Easley) where he has assisted other artists in school residency programs.