Mamadou Diabate is a master of the kora, the ancient 21-string West African . He was born in Kita, , a city long known as a center for the arts and culture of the Manding people of . He comes from a family of , or jelis as they are known among the Manding, who are traditional historians, genealogists, and story-tellers as well as musicians.

Mamadou’s father taught him to play the kora as a child, and he devoted himself to practicing the instrument. Before long, he was playing kora for local jeli singers throughout the region at ceremonies such as weddings and baptisms. At 16 he went to Bamako, where under the tutelage of his famous cousin, Toumani Diabate, he worked the jeli circuit and performed at the city's Amitié Hotel.

After touring the United States in 1996 as part of the Instrumental Ensemble of Mali, Mamadou decided to stay in the U.S. and now calls it home. He performs nationally and internationally as a soloist, as well as leading the Mamadou Diabate Ensemble.

Mamadou Diabate has collaborated with jazz musicians such as Donald Byrd to Randy Weston, as well as popular figures including Afropop star Angelique Kidjo, Zimbabwean legend Thomas Mapfumo, blues mavericks Taj Mahal and Eric Bibb, and even the jam band Donna the Buffalo. He is frequently invited to perform with visiting Malian stars including Ami Koita, Tata Bambo Kouyate, Kandia Kouyate and Babani Koné.

Balla Kouyate is a player. He began learning this instrument at the age of six. The balafon he plays (the ancestor of the xylophone) was given to Balla's ancestors by nobles and has remained in his family ever since. In 1994, he was a member of the National Percussion of Mali and has been featured on 23 albums in Mali.

He first came to the U.S. touring with his sister, renowned vocalist Kanibaoule Kouyate. Shortly thereafter, he began working with kora master Mamadou Diabate and has been in his ensemble ever since, playing venues such as Lincoln Center Outdoor Festival, Symphony Space and festivals around the country. They both are part of Rowell Rudd's "Malicool" ensemble. In 2004, Balla played with Sidiki Condi at Carnegie Hall for a month long residency for children, and has been engaged by many African artists to tour in the United States. He joined Ursel Schlicht's Ex Tempore in 2004. While playing with Ex Tempore, he wanted to expand the tonal possibilities of the balafon and created a chromatic version of the instrument, believed to be the first chromatic balafon ever.

Ibrahima "Kolipe" Camara is a master drummer from , West Africa. At the age of 10 Kolipe began his study of the with Yamoussa Camara of The National Ballets; Les Ballets Africaines and Les Merveilles De Guinee. Under Yamoussa’s guidance he traveled throughout the regions of Guinea, learning the different types of musical instruments, rhythms and dances from Guinea’s many ethnic groups.

In 1992 Kolipe joined Les Merveilles De Guinee, working with the world renowned director and choreographer, Mohammed Kemoko Sano. After 3 years with the Merveilles De Guinee he joined Le Soleil D’Afrique and toured out of Africa for the first time, playing in Belgium as a lead percussionist.

After his international tour with Le Soleil D’Afrique, Kolipe took his artistry to another level and created the group Zanga Zanga. This group is well known throughout Guinea playing for local and national ceremonies and festivals.

In 2000, Kolipe joined Les Ballets Africaines, the internationally recognized representatives of West African culture, and the highest level of accomplishment for a Guinean percussionist. As a lead drummer for the Ballet, Kolipe toured throughout Africa and the United States. Since 2005, he has been living in New York; teaching, touring, and performing with a number of groups. He is a dynamic musician with a powerfully positive presence.

Mawuena Kodjovi was born in , . He spent his entire childhood in Togo, West Africa, his father's homeland. Very early, he learned his first chords on the guitar, observing and listening to his brothers and friends play music. Mawuena went to music school in France where he studied music theory and specialized in jazz. Since then, he has collaborated with artists from all horizons. Upon arrival in the United States in 1998, Mawuena met Babatunde Olatunji, and became his musical assistant for five years.

Mawuena plays bass, piano, drums, various percussion and traditional . He also is a singer and a skilled composer and arranger. His musical knowledge covers a wide range of genres. Over the years, Mawuena has developed his teaching art, considering the transmission of knowledge a priority mission for all human beings. Currently Mawuena is based in New York City with his wife and twin daughters, but performs regularly in Europe, and Africa.