Ali Boulo Santo Cissoko

Ali Boulo Santo Cissoko
Kora player, Griot musician
Principal country concerned : Column : Music

BIOGRAPHY

From Sénégal to France, where he has been living for more than ten years, Dieourou Cissoko, also known as Ali Boulo Santo, of Manding-Ko origin, does not spend a single day without a Kora in his hands.
Born in Thiès, near Dakar, a descendant of dozens of Griot generations, his father Bakary Cissoko, Griot himself and well-known Conducter of the National Police Force of Dakar, in turn initiates his son at a very early age to the Kora in its most traditional form.

This skilled artist, author and composer, passionately enthusiastic and particularly talented, is soon recognised as the worthy successor of his Grandfather Soundioulou Cissoko alias “King of Kora”.

In 1992, he obtains a Diploma of the « Conservatoire National de Musique Traditionnelle » of Sénégal.

Endowed with a personality and talent in a class of his own, he engages on an artistic course of his own choosing taking up the pseudonym of Ali Boulo Santo (which in Manding-Ko means stretched-out open hands) which symbolises openness, peace, thankfulness and recognition, as per the essence of the themes contained in his work.

He is not yet 20 when he becomes the pioneer-inventer of the first Kora with wah-wah pedal, having at heart the enrichment of the repertoire of sounds and contemporary musical styles and at the same time preserving fundamental values.

In 2.000, Frédéric Galliano, impressed by the talent of the young musician, picks him for a project which places him on the most well-known scenes of the planet, with «’Orchestre Maquisard International » of which he is one of the leaders and the group « African Divas » with which he composes, sings and plays with maestria, introducing the Kora, this traditional West African instrument, into the most contemporary of musical environments.

Ali Boulo Santo displays with success and generosity, sounds and particular tonalities, venturing unexpected rhythms, from afro-beat to rock via jazz, pop, folk,reggae, salsa or the blues, without fearing associating them with his traditional repertoire comforting his genius as a great discoverer.

His know-how, his profound and deep voice, do not fail to draw the attention of prestigious artists. He has worked with well known jazzmen such as Doudou Guiriand, the brothers Belmondo, Tony Allen, Piers Faccini, Julien Baer and other world-known artists.

From these different experiences, three albums have come to fruition :- “Ali Boulo Santo and Hadja Kouyaté, Ali Boulo Santo Komo Fellé and Farakala with Trilok Gurtu”, follow many others in which he participates either as singer, musician, composer or arranger : “Kirikou and Karaba, Racines du Ciel, Naturel and Silmakha with Fania, New Cool Collective Jazz Band of Amsterdam…”

Relentlessly, he pursues his path and search around his family heritage, adds to his Kora new pedals with multiple effects sourced in current times not hesitating to use computer and electronic devices to promote his artistry.

In 2009, Ali Boulo Santo sets himself a new task : the preparation of a new album still more innovative, opting for the association of a great variety of traditional and modern musical instruments, in characteristic fusion without betraying any of the culture.

In total discretion, this unsatiable artist consolidates this crossing between Africa and the West, optimises the duality that he represents, the junction between Cultures and the different forms of Music, humanely, with sincerity and respect, remaining this way faithful to his identity

Partners

  • Arterial network
  • Media, Sports and Entertainment Group (MSE)
  • Gens de la Caraïbe
  • Groupe 30 Afrique
  • Alliance Française VANUATU
  • PACIFIC ARTS ALLIANCE
  • FURTHER ARTS
  • Zimbabwe : Culture Fund Of Zimbabwe Trust
  • RDC : Groupe TACCEMS
  • Rwanda : Positive Production
  • Togo : Kadam Kadam
  • Niger : ONG Culture Art Humanité
  • Collectif 2004 Images
  • Africultures Burkina-Faso
  • Bénincultures / Editions Plurielles
  • Africiné
  • Afrilivres

With the support of