Abou Sylla

BALAFONIST-Cultural Bearer

Abou Sylla is a master balafonist and cultural bearer of the Mandé tradition from Guinea, West Africa. Born into a griot (djeli) family, he was immersed from childhood in the music, stories, and rhythms passed down through generations. His deep connection to the balafon—an ancient wooden xylophone central to West African oral tradition—has shaped his life’s work as a performer, educator, and instrument maker.

With decades of experience on international stages, Abou brings authenticity, passion, and precision to every performance. His playing is rooted in tradition but resonates with audiences across cultures and generations, embodying the soul of a living heritage. Whether leading workshops, building instruments by hand, or collaborating with artists around the world, Abou continues to preserve and share the legacy of his ancestors with purpose and pride.

Early Life & Heritage

Griot Abou Sylla, born in 1958 in Guinea, West Africa, hails from a family with a rich heritage as "Djeli" or "Griot." These families are renowned for their roles as oral historians, advisers, musicians, and singers.
Abou's family, in particular, has a tradition of crafting the “balani”, a short-keyed wooden xylophone that plays a vital role in the traditional music of the ancient Mande Empire in West Africa.

Training & Professional Beginnings

As a teenager, Abou immersed himself in Conakry’s vibrant music scene, sharpening his technique and deepening his knowledge of traditional Mandé rhythms.

At the age of 20, he joined the renowned Les Ballets Africains under the direction of Italo Zambo. Abou considers this period to be when he truly became a master of the balafon. Touring internationally with the company for over a decade, he helped showcase the richness of West African music and dance, performing alongside more than 50 of Africa’s most talented musicians on world stages.

In the late 1980s, Abou joined Les Mervilles de Guinee and toured internationally, participating in significant events such as the 100th Anniversary of Sabina Airlines in Belgium and the U.S.

Transition to the U.S. & Artistic Ventures

In 1995, Abou relocated to New York City, where he co-founded Feraba, an award-winning performance company that blends West African percussion with tap dance, in collaboration with Irene Koloseus. He collaborated and recorded with numerous U.S.-based music and dance groups, including Kakande, Abdoulaye Diabate, Akwaabe Ensemble and Crocodile River Music (2019–present) an African arts ensemble based in Massachusetts.

For more than 30 years, he has shared his artistry through concerts, workshops, and cultural events across the United States and around the world. His performances bring people together across cultures and generations, celebrating rhythm, tradition, and innovation.

Educational and Teaching

Master instructor of balafon and West African percussion, teaching workshops across the U.S.
Guest instructor at:
- Wesleyan University, CT
- University of Florida, Gainesville
- Sarah Lawrence College, NY
- Numerous K–12 schools, libraries, festivals, and cultural institutions

Selected Recordings

Solo Albums
- Just in Time (2010)
- Give Thanks (2011)
- Learn to Play the Balafon (2014)
Featured on: Badenya: Manden Jaliyaa in NYC – Smithsonian Folkways
Heritage-Ballets Africains
Collaborations include: M’Bemba Bangoura, Mohamed Diaby, Abdoulaye Diabaté, Lansana Kouyaté, Sekouba Kouyaté, and others.

Selected venues and tours

Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), Symphony Space, Kennedy Center, Aaron Davis Hall
Montreal Nuit d’Afrique Festival, Toronto Jazz Festival
Tours in Mexico (2008, 2009) and the United Kingdom (2005)

Selected Honors and Awards

New York Foundation for the Arts – Fellowship in Music Composition
Meet the Composer – Grant recipient
Baguette d’Or and Djembe d’Or – Awards from National Percussion Competitions in Guinea with Ballet Merveilles d’Afrique

Artist Statement

Being born into a Griot family in Guinea is a unique and culturally significant heritage. As a musician deeply immersed in this rich heritage, I embark on a journey through the resonant sounds of the balafon to bring the stories, history, and spirit of Guinea's Mande music to life. The balafon, a revered instrument in the Griot tradition, is not just a musical instrument but a vessel for storytelling and a conduit to connect with our ancestors.

As an artist, I take my role as a Griot seriously. I am a vessel through which the stories and emotions of my people are channeled. Each note played on the balafon is a syllable in a larger story, a connection to the Griot lineage that stretches back generations.

I hope to inspire a profound appreciation for this cultural treasure and an understanding of the vital role that Griots and their music play in preserving our collective memory. While I remain faithful to the traditional techniques and scales of Guinea's Mande music, I also seek to infuse my own creativity and innovation, breathing new life into this timeless tradition.

My performances are a bridge between the past and the present, honoring the legacy of our ancestors while inviting contemporary audiences to engage with the beauty and depth of Mande music. I envision a world where my concerts are not only celebrations of cultural diversity but also catalysts for a more inclusive, empathetic, and socially conscious society."