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My name is Fara Tolno. I'm originally from Guinea, West Africa.
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Born in Conakry, Guinea, West Africa, Fara Tolno spent most of his youth growing up in Kissidougou and Conakry. Playing djembe since the age of 9, he has traveled extensively teaching both drumming and dance. He spent 9 years as the lead drummer for the Merveailles (the ·younger· ensemble akin to Le Ballet African) under the tutelage of Kemoko Sano.
Fara was one of the accompanying drummers when Mamady Keita was in Arizona a few years ago.
Fara has a wonderful way of teaching the expert concepts and techniques of the djembe to western players of all levels, and his energetic style make his drum and dance classes totally fun!.
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Binye
(Respect)
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Fara Bakan
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Fara Tolno
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BACKGROUND
My name is Fara Tolno. I'm originally from Guinea, West Africa. I began my study of traditional West African dance, drum, song and culture when I was nine years old with the Commune Ballet in Matam, Guinea.
Since the age of fifteen, I have been studying with Mohamed Kemoco Sano, former director of Ballet Joliba, and director of choreography for Les Ballets Africans, the National Ballet of Guinea. Mohamed Kemoco Sano is a distinguished historian celebrated for his knowledge of the history and culture of each of West Africa’s ethnic groups. Currently Sano is the owner/director of Les Merveilles.
I studied closely with Sano and performed as the first soloist with Les Merveilles throughout Africa, Europe, and the United States, where they have played at the Lincoln Center, Disneyland and the University of Long Island. Some of the artists I have performed with include: Youssou N’Dour, the Tap Collective, Roxanne Butterfly, and I have opened for Burning Spear.
Recently I did vocals, drumming and arrangements with Dialy Kounda on their new CD, Kanben, which means Unity in In 1999-2000, I produced, arranged and mixed my first CD entitled Binye, which means Respect in Sousou, my native language. The CD was dedicated to my mother, and to all of the people who keep my culture alive.
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