Djessou Mory Kante
Biographical Information
Born: Guinea
References
Charry, Eric. 2000. Mande Music: Traditional and Modern Music of the Maninka and Mandinka of Western Africa. Chicago; London: University of Chicago Press.
p. 279
A related and more intimate genre features a jeli vocalist accompanied by just one or two stringed instruments. . . . A unique recording of guitar trios and quartets (without any vocals) led by Djessou Mory Kante (1998-disc) with a rare appearance by Papa Diabate has further moved this genre in new directions.
pp. 282-3
While vocal music still reigns supreme among Maninka listeners, all-instrumental recordings (with no vocals) of guitar ensembles have begun to proliferate. Guineans Manfila Kante (ex-Ambassadeurs) (1994-disc), Sekou "Bembeya" Diabate (1995-disc), Djessou Mory Kante (1998-disc), and the legendary Papa Diabate (1999-disc), have all released recordings that brilliantly continue the acoustic guitar tradition pioneered by Facelli Kante.