Download Alpha’s Press Kit in PDF format

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B I O G R A P H Y

Alpha Yaya Diallo, guitarist, singer, songwriter is a
true multi-cultural Canadian artist performing in French, Eng-
lish and his native Guinean languages of Foulani and Souso.
Diallo is a multi-talented artist whose dexterous acoustic and
electric guitar-playing, with its fluid melodic lines and compel-
ling grooves, places him in the front ranks of African musicians.
While his band, Bafing, features high energy African rhythms,
visually stunning dancers and a dynamic percussion section.

Alpha was discovered in the late 1980’s by Peter Gabriel’s
Real World Records when he was lead guitarist for Fatala.
Born in Guinea, West Africa, Diallo was frequently on the
move with his family, growing up in a number of regions. He was
exposed to a variety of cultures and musical traditions from the
Malenke, Sousou, and his own Foulani people. During the time
he spent in neighbouring Senegal, Diallo picked up the popu-
lar and powerful mbalax rhythm—as well as influences from
Cape Verde and the Caribbean.

By uniting the traditional and the contemporary, Diallo has
carved a niche for himself beside such West African luminaries
as Salif Keita, Baaba Maal, Youssou N’Dour, and Ismael Lo.
With five highly-acclaimed albums of his own compositions,
including Juno Award winners The Message and The Journey, it was
a natural fit for him to take part in the hugely successful African
Guitar Summit concert at Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto with
Pa Joe, Mighty Popo, Madagascar Slim, Adam Solomon, and
Donné Robert. The concert led to two recordings released by
CBC Records, and a Juno Award for African Guitar Summit.

In 2007, Alpha was the only North American artist approached
by the United Nations to create a work for a compilation CD that
will further raise awareness around the issues of HIV/AIDS,
hunger, and debt relief in Africa. The finished piece, Imme Af-
rica / Get Up Africa is a tribute and a rallying call to the potential
and responsibility of the people of that continent.

Diallo continues to nurture and build upon his musical in-
heritance. While never straying far from these roots, his per-
formances and albums imploy the most cutting edge advances
in music technology. Alpha Yaya Diallo is one of the most in-
spired and inspirational artists on the World Beat circuit today.

R E V I E W S

“I confess, I’m addicted to Alpha Yaya Diallo.”
— Cyndi Mellon, Georgia Straight

“Alpha’s music comes together with an irrepressible
enthusiasm that makes you want to move in response,
thanks to Diallo’s multinational band and cross-cultural
musical influences.”— Edmonton Journal

“Diallo is an excellent guitarist and singer and a definite
man to watch I you have not heard his music, it will be a
revelation. I can’t wait for a new Diallo record to come
from his base in Vancouver.”— The Beat

“Diallo writes and plays intoxicating music steeped
in the rhythms of his homeland.” — Words & Music
Magazine (SOCAN)

“Every so often an album comes along that is both
timeless and incredibly current. The Message is an album
with contemporary sound, and yet it is steeped in
centuries of African music.”— CMJ Weekly

“Stylish and danceable. Diallo should be a hit with fans
of BABA MAAL and YOUSSOU N’DOUR.”— Dirty Linen

“This was the best show I’ve seen at the Sidetrack
in ages. Probably in my top five Sidetrack shows.
Alpha Yaya Diallo and his band of four percussionists
and a bass player played three very long sets.”
— Gabino Travassos

“…beautiful music exceptionally rendered.”
— Chicago Reader

“Alpha Yaya Diallo- is an artist of rare musical ability.
This Juno award winner is a composer, band leader
and guitarist extraordinaire.” — Edmonton Journal

S E L E C T E D P E R F O R M A N C E S

• Luminato Festival (Toronto, ON)
• Houston International Music Festival (Houston, TX)
• Afrofest (Toronto, ON)
• Montreal Jazz Festival (Montreal, QC)
• Calgary Jazz Festival (Calgary, AB)
• Vancouver International Jazz Festival (Vancouver, BC)
• Festival Africain du Quebec City (Quebec City, QC)
• Les FrancoFolies de Montreal (Montreal, QC)
• Edmonton Folk Festival (Edmonton, AB)
• Bumbershoot (Seattle, WA)
• Chan Centre for the Performing Arts (Vancouver, BC)

A W A R D S

• JUNO Award:
Best Global Music for African Guitar Summit
• JUNO Award: Best Global Music for The Journey
• Best Canadian Global Independent Release
for The Journey
• The West Coast Music Awards: Best World Music
Album for The Message
• JUNO Award: Best Global Music for The Message
• The Pacific Music Industry Awards:
Best World Music award for Futur
• BCAO: Song of the Year for composition
Les filles de mon pays

Canadian Label:

Jericho Beach Music
PO Box 53503,
Vancouver, BC V5Z 4M6
info at jerichobeach.com
www.jerichobeach.com

UK Label:

Jericho Beach UK
www.jerichobeach.co.uk

Booking (Canada):

Jensen Music International
PO Box 3445,
Charlottetown, PE C1A 8W3
(902) 569-1955
jensen at jproductions dot com

Booking (USA):

Herschel Freeman Agency
7684 Apahon Lane,
Germantown, TN 38138
(901) 757-4567
herschel at herschelfreemanagency dot com