ABOUT AMARA KANTÉ

Amara Kanté is a world renowned Master percussionist, Composer and Artistic Director. His repertoire of instruments include: Djembe drum, Dunun drums, Talking-drum, Bolon, Krin, Bara and Congas.

He is a Co-Founder of KOURABA, a Toronto based non-profit organization that promotes world music and dance traditions. He also Co-created the highly successful annual Kouraba World Music Festival (Toronto), an event that brings to Toronto the stories and performing arts talents of International Masters of World Music & Dance .

Recognized as a child prodigy and a professional percussionist by age 7, Amara has travelled the world and performed extensively. Festival credits include: WOMAD, Heritage Festival, Montreal Jazz Festival, AfroFest, Festival International Nuits d’Afrique, Massa Festival, Sunfest World Music Festival and the Muhtadi International Drumming Festival. Amara has toured with celebrated troupes such as: Koteba D’Abidjan and Ballets Africains du Guinée.

As a prolific collaborator and composer, Amara’s unmistakable drumming power and signature sound can be heard on various recordings/soundtracks for film, album and live artistic presentations. His collaborations have included some of World Music’s greatest Icons: Peter Gabriel, François Moity, Big Sugar, Mory Kanté, Kassé Mady Diabaté and Judy Mowatt to name a few.

In 1998 Amara established KAWAFOLI school of Manding percussion in Marseille, France. He has been integral to the creation of several performance troupes such Benkan Foli (France), Wassa Foli (Trinidad) and Baro Dununba(Toronto). He has also filled the role of guest Artistic Director for the Muhtadi World Drummers (Toronto).

Now residing in Toronto, Amara Kanté feels honored to be sharing his vast musical knowledge and talent mentoring youth, professional musicians and thrilling audiences of all ages. Of particular interest is his dedication to highlighting the positive contributions of Afro-Francophonie cultures, artists and peoples to the world.