Photo : Oumou Diarra, Yacouba Koné
Concert Oumou Diarra and Yacouba Koné | Music and Exile Cycle
To close the Music and Exile cycle, the Musical Mediatheque invites you to an evening of Mandinka music with diva Oumou Diarra and guitarist Yacouba Koné.
Médiathèque musicale de Paris – Christiane Eda-Pierre
About
The dazzling voice of Oumou Diarra and the swift guitar playing of Yacouba Koné blend to offer you music between Mandinka tradition and African-American blues.
Oumou Diarra comes from a noble family in the Ganadougou district in the 3rd region of Mali. She performs regularly at major festivals in Bamako and has collaborated with artists such as Congolese musician Fally Ipupa, pianist Cheick Tidiane Seck, and Spanish artist Argentina. She participated in Toumani Diabate's latest album and has released several albums under her own name.
For his part, Yacouba Koné was born into a griot family in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, in 1989. He began playing music with traditional instruments like the djembe and doundoun. He moved on to drums and started playing the guitar at the age of 15. He arrived in France for the first time in 2016 and played for the Afrikolor festival with Cheik Sirima and Abou Diarra. He accompanied Fatoumata Diawara and Hindi Zahra for several years.
- Oumou Diarra on the album Toumani, Family & Friends
- Yacouba Koné on guitar with Fatoumata Diawara in a Tiny Desk session
Our take on this event
Prepare for a hypnotic musical dialogue where traditional West African storytelling meets the soulful edge of modern blues. With soaring vocals and masterful guitar work, this collaboration delivers a raw and intimate sound that feels both ancestral and startlingly fresh. A perfect destination for those looking to discover music with soul and history.
On Friday, December 18, 2026, the Médiathèque musicale de Paris – Christiane Eda-Pierre presents a concert featuring singer Oumou Diarra and guitarist Yacouba Koné as part of the Musiques et Exils series. From 19:00 to 21:00, these performers will weave together Mandinka traditions and African-American blues. This event is free to attend, subject to seating capacity, and offers a unique opportunity to witness the synergy between two artists known for their collaborations with icons like Fally Ipupa and Fatoumata Diawara.
Located in the 1st arrondissement, the Médiathèque musicale de Paris – Christiane Eda-Pierre hosts a special musical evening on December 18, 2026. The performance highlights the artistic collaboration between Oumou Diarra, a Malian vocalist with a deep background in Mandinka tradition, and Yacouba Koné, a Burkinabè guitarist whose career evolved from traditional drumming to international stages alongside artists like Hindi Zhara.
Oumou Diarra’s discography and work with Toumani Diabate meet Yacouba Koné’s mastery of the guitar, influenced by his griot heritage and years of experience in global festivals. The concert runs from 19:00 until 21:00. Attendance is free, though entrance is granted within the limits of the available seats.
