Kocassalé Dioubaté is a Guinean of the Mandingo tribe of West Africa. A descendant of the tribe's 'Griots' - traditional storytellers and musicians; the keepers of the tribe's oral history. Kocassalé has been dancing, playing and making music since he was old enough to walk.
He was named after his grandfather, who was a musician in the very first national troupe of Guinea (Ballet Nationale de Guinée) under the guidance of the great Guinean musician Koca Bangora. From these men, Kocassalé learned to play and build the traditional instruments of their tribe. He honed his drumming skills playing with his father, a percussionist and singer, at ceremonies all over Guinea. Kocassalé started his first group at the age of seven - banging on some pots and pans with friends in the village and now he has gone on to play music professionally all over West Africa. Career highlights to date include playing as Head Drummer for Ballet Kaloum Lolé in Guinea, soloist for Ballet Bougarabou in Senegal, recording with renowned drummer Moussa M'Boum in the Gambia and playing with Senegalese superstar Youssou N'Dour. He has also won awards from the Minister of Culture in Guinea for Dance in 2005 and was named Best Male Artist in 2001. Newly arrived from Africa, Kocassalé hopes to share his roots and spread the rich musical culture of West Africa.