Aboubacar Sylla

 Aboubacar “Abou” Sylla is a master percussionist, musician, performer and teacher of West African music and dance, as well as a traditional instrument builder. Abou has been performing professionally for over 20 years, and teaches and shares the music, dance and culture of West Africa throughout the United States and around the world.   Born into a family of traditional musicians in Guinea, West Africa, Abou began his study of both the djembe and balafon as a child. He lived, studied and performed with his balafon teacher until he moved to Conakry, the capital of Guinea, to perform with his family, as well as other musicians. At this time, Abou was invited to join Les Ballets Africains, the prestigious national dance company of Guinea. For six years he performed with them, playing not one, but five traditional West African instruments – the balafon, djembe, krin, doundoun and bote.   Bramaya, Abou’s West African dance and drum troupe, is named in honor of his father’s village and combines new musical ideas and traditional West African rhythms.  Abou has been named a Master Folk Artist for Texas Folklife’s Folk Arts Apprenticeship Program, and his busy performance, teaching and instrument-building schedule takes him from his home in Austin, Texas to all parts of the globe.