Abdoulaye Alhassane Touré

Follow
artist

Biography

Abdoulaye Alhassane is a brilliant multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger and producer from Niger and Mali. His principal instrument is guitar, and he sings and plays Molo, Gurmi and a number of other Central Saharan string instruments. He was musical director, composer and lead guitarist for the wonderful Niger roots band, Mamar Kassey, that toured internationally to rave reviews. Mr. Alhassane also launched the careers of Moussa Poussy and many other singers from Niger, for whom he composed and arranged all of the music. He is of the same tradition as his mentors, Ali Farka Toure and Ibrahime Hamma Diko. Abdoulaye Alhassane is a master of the music of many Saharan cultures and languages: Songhai, Sonrai, Tamaschek, Peul, Toureg, Zerma, Hausa and others. His original music is rich in complex rhythms, beautiful blue modes, and full of joyous enthusiasm.
-Askiamusic