The Great Keba Bobo Cissoko, tamalalou, griot-traveler, departed our world on February 8th, 2003.

Our dear friend Keba was born and raised in a griot village in Guinea Bissau. He lived the traditional "Jali" (griot) life until he moved to Guinea in the early eighties. In Conakry, he was a member of the Ballets Africains and of the Ensemble Instrumental National. He was a founding member of the Merveilles d'Afrique and toured the world with these ensembles.

Since 1996, Keba established himself as one of the greatest kora players and singers in the United States, teaching and performing all over the country. He was the leader of Tamalalou, an ensemble dedicated to perform his music. He participated in many groups and recordings; among them: Reginald Yates, Maimouna Keita, Feraba and Fula Flute. As a soloist and as leader of his group Tamalalou, Keba was also was featured on the Smithsonian Folkways compilation: Badenya, Manden Jaliya in New York City, released last fall.

If you wish to help his family in this difficult time, please send your contribution in care of:

Sylvain Leroux, 601 East 11th Street #3B, New York, NY 10009, or Peter Fand, 489 Pacific Street, Brooklyn, NY 11217

A memorial concert is being organized for the Spring. If you want to be kept informed, send an email to: info@fulaflute.net

For further information, call (646) 772-4936. Please feel free to forward this message to those who might be concerned.

Thank you. Sylvain Leroux
New York City