Amadou is a professional musician with over 25 years of experience.  He was born in Guinea, West Africa where he studied the traditional music of his people, the Malinke.

Amadou’s father was the lead kora player in the world-renowned group ‘Les Ballets Africains’ for over 20 years. Kora (West African harp-lute) was Amadou’s first love, but he also learned djembe and duns through his family.

Amadou first picked up the kora at age 10 and his skill quickly developed. At 17 he was invited to become a member of the 7 piece group ‘Les Petit Sorciers de Guinee’ as lead Dun Dun player. This vibrant, awards winning group was headed by Papa Kouyate who was the percussionist for Miriam Makeba (Mama Africa). Amadou toured France & Spain with the group in 2001 and they were invited back several times to complete 4 tours in 4 years.  On the fourth tour Amadou performed beside the well-known Djembefola, Fadouba Oulare. The group went on to perform in Russia as part of the Russian independence celebrations in 2007.

At home in Guinea, the group performed for ministers and international guests, and won many awards, including the “Djembefola” competition.

Since arriving in Australia in 2011, Amadou has held many school workshops. He has also been part of a teaching team at The University of Melbourne, where he educates students about music in Guinean culture, teaching kora songs and drumming patterns on duns and djembe to accompany traditional dances which the students then perform at end-of-semester concerts.

Amadou has also been part of several collaboration projects through the Multicultural Arts Victoria ‘Visible Program’. He has collaborated with Cumbian Cosmonauts, recording an album and performing around popular Melbourne venues.

Amadou regularly performs in libraries and galleries around Melbourne, as well as at weddings and parties. 

He has established a thriving adults percussion class held weekly. His advanced students have formed a performance group and, with Amadou at the helm, have featured at several festivals around Melbourne including Carlton Harmony Festival, Clayton Street Festival, Monash Peninsula One World Festival, Frankston Family Fun Day, Globe to Globe Festival and West Footscray Festival of Lights.

Amadou’s dynamic nature brings out the fire in the Dun Dun and Djembe and elicits delicate transporting melodies on the Kora, leaving audiences wanting more.