Kanazoé Orkestra - Burkina Faso/France

Led by master griot Seydou Diabate, the Kanazoé Orkestra blends traditional West African balafon music with global influences jazz, Latin, soul to bring the resonant xylophone sound to audiences around the world. Born into a griot family in Burkina Faso, Seydou was immersed in the balafon from childhood, learning through daily practice alongside his father. After his father's passing at the age of 10, Seydou moved to the city of Bobo-Dioulasso, where his vision expanded: he dreamed of taking the balafon beyond national borders.

In 2011, he moved to Toulouse, France, and began assembling his Orkestra. What started with traditional roots gradually evolved as new members brought fresh sounds. From their first album, Miriya (2016), rooted in Bambara tradition, to the jazzier Tolonso (2019), the group has continued to explore and push musical boundaries.

A major turning point came with the addition of Gaëlle Blanchard, a French singer and rapper with hip-hop and soul roots. Singing both in French and phonetically in Bambara, Gaëlle adds a new voice and spirit to the group’s upcoming Folikadi EP, prompting deeper questions about blending cultures and experimenting with form.

Despite this evolution, Seydou remains spiritually anchored in the balafon’s sacred role: as a tool for storytelling, wisdom-sharing, and reflection on themes like ecology and future generations. "This is my path," he says. "I was born for this." And he’s far from finished.

From Ivory Coast to Belgium and Cape Verde, Kanazoé Orkestra is realizing Seydou’s childhood dream to let the balafon be heard across the world, not just as music, but as a message. "Each album is a challenge," he reflects, "but the balafon is a feeling, a dream. I’m just grateful people believe in me and want to join this journey. I’m not stopping here."

Seydou « Kanazoé » Diabaté : Balafon / Vocal
Mamadou « Madou » Dembélé : Balafon / Vocal / Flûte / Guitare
Losso Keïta : Lead Vocal
Martin Etienne : Keyboards
Emilio Rudoy : Bass
Laurent Planells : Hybrid Drums