Mady Kouyate was born in Senegal into a highly respected centuries-old line of musicians and praise singers known as Djelys, or Griots. In West Africa, Griots (traditional historians, genealogists and storytellers) keep history alive in their story and song. One of the Griots' traditional instruments, the kora, is a lute-like instrument made from a large calabash with 21 strings. The Kouyate family, including both of Mady Kouyate's parents, his uncle, and his brother, were his first and best teachers of the artistry of music and verse. He also studied with the famous Toumani Diabate while attending L'institute Nationale Des Arts. Kouyate now lives in the US, and he wishes to share with you the wisdom of his fathers.