Neighborhood Photos

Grammy Nominee on Hollywood Street

Meet Duke Park neighbor Mamadou Diabate

While many of us were curled up in front of the TV on Feb. 8 to see which of our favorite musicians were competing for the 48th Annual Grammy Awards, Duke Park resident Mamadou Diabate was sitting at a large table in the Convention Center in L.A., anxiously waiting to find out if he had won.

Diabate’s album, Behmanka, featuring solo traditional music from Mali, was one of five albums nominated in the Traditional World Music Album category. Although the award went to Ali Farka Touré and Mamadou’s cousin Toumani Diabate, Mamadou was not terribly disappointed with the results. In fact, he was surprised and honored to be nominated for the internationally recognized award. With fellow nominees like Paul McCartney, Mariah Carey, Burt Bacharach, U-2, and Green Day competing for other awards, Mamadou was rubbing shoulders with some very famous company.

Mamadou is a Griot, a member of a storytelling clan in Mali dating back over 700 years. Using the kora, a 21-stringed harp-like instrument with a large gourd body and wooden neck (which he built with his father), Mamadou uses music and song to retell history, celebrate traditions, and teach peaceful reconciliation. He moved to the US in 1996 following a successful tour from his home town of Kita. While living and performing in New York, he met his wife Dafina, then a professional dancer. They have one energetic son, six-year-old Djelimory.

Back home on Hollywood Street after a trip to perform in Vienna following the Grammys, the family has settled back in their regular routine following the excitement of last months nomination. They moved into the neighborhood last August, and are enjoying the harmony, respect, and quiet of Duke Park. “This neighborhood makes people have a beautiful life.” Mamadou said, “I really like it.” That sentiment sums up what makes Duke Park a special place for all of us.

To hear some of Mamadou’s music and see his performance schedule, visit www.mamadou.com

–Andrew Preiss