Born in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, Oumarou “Mandela” Bambara grew up in the legendary Bolomakoté district, a renowned centre of musical tradition. From the age of 7, he was introduced to percussion by great masters: Mahama Konaté (founder of the Farafina group), Soungalo Traoré and Paco Yé.

Very early on, his virtuosity and musical sensitivity distinguished him as an exceptional multi-instrumentalist, mastering the balafon, djembe, kamélé n’goni, doumdoum, bara, tama…

Spotted at a very young age, he joined Farafina and the international theatre troupe of Burkina Faso, before founding Farafina Juniors, Sababougnouma and Le Ballet Koba, with which he toured throughout Europe.

Based in France since 1998, Mandela has built a rich and committed artistic career. He collaborates with many major companies: Transe Express, Royal de Luxe, Les Grandes Personnes, Georges Momboye, Hassan Kouyaté.

Founder of the Kankélé with Cédric Yenk, he performs in France and abroad: Festival Afrika Esch (Luxembourg), Glaz’Art (Paris), African Night (Eupen, Belgium), Festival Africolor, Solidays, Festival Musique de Jazz et d’Ailleurs (Amiens), Les Couleurs du Jazz (Essonne), Musiques du Monde de Ris-Orangis, Percussions de Saint-Denis (La Réunion)…

He also plays in renowned Parisian venues: Le Tamanoir, Le Satellite Café, Studio de l’Ermitage, Canal 13, Le Divan du Monde.

Committed to sharing his musical heritage, Oumarou Mandela Bambara also designs shows for young audiences: he creates choreographed musical tales with Joëlle Iffrig and participates in baroque music programs dedicated to early childhood.

He composes and plays for contemporary dance with Les Alouettes Naïves (dir. Emmanuel Rigaud), Dife Kako (dir. Chantal Loïal), or with Salia ni Seydou, Merlin Nyakam and the Ballet de Lorraine (dir. Didier Deschamps).

An open and curious musician, he has collaborated extensively with: Amadou and Mariam, Mamady Keïta, Jean-Philippe Rykiel, Abdoulaye Diabaté, Balima, Jafricazz, Peaux d’Âmes, Saf Percussions, and also with the Collectif Impérial, between jazz, improvised music and sound poetry.

He also participates in creations by Nicolas Frize, a major figure in contemporary sound creation.

Always at the crossroads of languages, he can be found on stage with Kery James at Juste Debout 2013, improvising with Eve Risser, or exploring exploring the reggae-inspired sound world of the group Jinin.

Oumarou Bambara embodies a living bridge between the musical traditions of West Africa and the contemporary European performing arts.

Official website: oumarou-bambara.weebly.com