Syli Orchestre National
Formed on January 15 1959, the Syli Orchestre National contained
Guinea's elite musicians and represented the nation at international
festivals including Helsinki (1962), Algiers (1969),
and Tunis (1973), as well as performing in Berlin, Lagos and Cuba.
The first chef d'orchestre was Kanfory Sanoussi (accordion, banjo
and vibraphone), with other musicians at the time including
Kerfala “Papa” Diabaté (guitar), Balla Onivogui (trumpet), Kélétigui
Traoré (tenor saxophone), Clément Dorégo (tenor saxophone), Honoré
Coppet (alto saxophone), Pivi Moriba (trombone), Kerfala Camara
(bass) and Jean Fanga (drums). In later years the orchestre
included Demba Camara (vocals), Momo Wandel (alto saxophone)
and Sékou "Bembeya" Diabaté (lead guitar). In circa 1962 they ceased
playing regular performances and the orchestra were split into two
new groups: Balla et ses Balladins and Keletigui et ses Tambourinis.
The Syli Orchestre National
were reformed over the next 20 years, however, to represent
Guinea at special occasions, such as Festpac 1977. At the Premier Festival Culturel Panafricain
held in Algiers in 1969 the orchestra performed
"Regard sur le passé" by Bembeya Jazz, "Sara" by Balla et ses
Balladins, and other material from Guinean orchestras. They were
rewarded with a silver medal in the "Orchestre moderne" section.
Videos of their performances are
here.
Balla et ses Balladins (also known as
“Orchestre du Jardin de Guinée”)
Formed from the split of the Syli Orchestre National. Balla
Onivogui (trumpet) was the chef d'orchestre. Pivi Moriba
(trombone) led the group for a short time in the early 1970s, hence the group
Pivi et les Balladins, though Balla was reinstated upon the order of Pres.
Sékou Touré.
The orchestra continues to perform, and features a
young line-up.
Keletigui et ses Tambourinis
(also known as "Orchestre de la Pailotte". Formed from
“L’Orchestre de la Bonne Auberge” and
“La Formation Kerfala Camara Tambourini”).
Formed from the split of the Syli Orchestre National. Kélétigui
Traoré was the
chef d'orchestre. Linké
Condé took over after Kélétigui's death. The orchestra continues to perform.
Videos of their performances are
here.
Les Amazones de Guinée
(originally "L'Orchestre Féminin de Camp Almamy Samory",
"L'Orchestre Féminin de la Brigade Nationale", and “La Orchestre
de la Brigade Féminine de la
Gendarmerie”)
Formed in 1961 this all-female group of policewomen were
emblematic of Guinea's social policy of gender equality. In 1964
the band ceased to play banjos and other acoustic instruments,
swapping them for electric guitars, brass instruments and a
Western-style drum kit. The orchestra continues to
perform.
Videos of their performances are
here.
Bembeya Jazz National (also known as
“Orchestre de Beyla”)
Formed in 1961, they won the "orchestre moderne" category at the
annual arts festivals, the "Quinzaine Artistiques de la
Jeunesse", in 1964 and 1965. In October 1966 they were nationalised,
the first Federal Orchestra to be awarded this honour. Hamidou
Diaouné (aka "Hamidou
Diawiné")
was the chef d'orchestre and after his retirement
Sékou Diabaté took over the lead.
The orchestra continues to perform.
Videos of their performances are
here.
Horoya Band National (originally
"Milo Jazz", “Horoya Jazz” and “Horoya Band de Kankan”)
Formed in 1964 the Horoya Band de Kankan won the best orchestra
prize in 1967, 1968 and 1971 at the Quinzaine Artistiques.
They were nationalised on 7 December 1971. Métoura "Papa
paya-paya" Traoré was the chef d'orchestre, with Lamine Camara
taking over after his retirement.
Unlike many other orchestras of the first republic, the Horoya Band
continued to perform regularly after 1984 and released numerous
cassettes, the most recent "Kooba", in 2007. A live video
is here, and
studio video recordings are
here.
Super Boiro Band (originally
“Orchestré de la Garde Républicaine 1ère formation”)
Formed in 1959, the orchestra were nationalised in 1972. Mamadou
Niaissa, the group's trumpet player, was the chef d'orchestre. In
the post Sékou Touré era the
group were known as Super Flambeau.
Videos of their performances are
here.
Prior to the nationalisation of all musical groups in Guinea there
were a number of private orchestras:
- L’Orchestre de la Bonne Auberge (see
Keletigui et ses Tambourinis)
- La Formation Kerfala Camara Tambourini (Keletigui et ses
Tambourinis)
- L'Orchestre Honoré Coppet. (An alto-saxophonist,
