Radio Africa - Mauritanian vinyl discography

National Orchestras

Orchestré de la Garde Républicaine
The Orchestré de la Garde Républicaine was Guinea's first state orchestra, formed at independence in 1958. From November 1 1959 they were instructed to cease playing their repertoire of European marching music to a new style that was befitting of the new nation. In later years the orchestra was split into two groups - Orchestré de la Garde Républicaine 1^ère formation, who became the Super Boiro Band (see below), and Orchestré de la Garde Républicaine 2^ème formation.

Syli Orchestre National
Formed on January 15 1959, the Syli Orchestre National contained Guinea's elite musicians and represented the nation at international festivals including Helsinki (1962), Algiers (1969), and Tunis (1973), as well as performing in Berlin, Lagos and Cuba. The first chef d'orchestre was Kanfory Sanoussi (accordion, banjo and vibraphone), with other musicians at the time including Kerfala “Papa” Diabaté (guitar), Balla Onivogui (trumpet), Kélétigui Traoré (tenor saxophone), Clément Dorégo (tenor saxophone), Honoré Coppet (alto saxophone), Pivi Moriba (trombone), Kerfala Camara (bass) and Jean Fanga (drums). In later years the orchestre included Demba Camara (vocals), Momo Wandel (alto saxophone) and Sékou "Bembeya" Diabaté (lead guitar). In circa 1962 they ceased playing regular performances and the orchestra were split into two new groups: Balla et ses Balladins and Keletigui et ses Tambourinis. The Syli Orchestre National were reformed over the next 20 years, however, to represent Guinea at special occasions, such as Festpac 1977. At the Premier Festival Culturel Panafricain held in Algiers in 1969 the orchestra performed "Regard sur le passé" by Bembeya Jazz, "Sara" by Balla et ses Balladins, and other material from Guinean orchestras. They were rewarded with a silver medal in the "Orchestre moderne" section. Videos of their performances are here.

Balla et ses Balladins (also known as “Orchestre du Jardin de Guinée”)
Formed from the split of the Syli Orchestre National. Balla Onivogui (trumpet) was the chef d'orchestre. Pivi Moriba (trombone) led the group for a short time in the early 1970s, hence the group Pivi et les Balladins, though Balla was reinstated upon the order of Pres. Sékou Touré. The orchestra continues to perform, and features a young line-up.

Keletigui et ses Tambourinis (also known as "Orchestre de la Pailotte".
Formed from “L’Orchestre de la Bonne Auberge” and “La Formation Kerfala Camara Tambourini”). Formed from the split of the Syli Orchestre National. Kélétigui Traoré was the chef d'orchestre. Linké Condé took over after Kélétigui's death. The orchestra continues to perform. Videos of their performances are ere.

Les Amazones de Guinée (originally "L'Orchestre Féminin de Camp Almamy Samory", "L'Orchestre Féminin de la Brigade Nationale", and “La Orchestre de la Brigade Féminine de la Gendarmerie”).
Formed in 1961 this all-female group of policewomen were emblematic of Guinea's social policy of gender equality. In 1964 the band ceased to play banjos and other acoustic instruments, swapping them for electric guitars, brass instruments and a Western-style drum kit. The orchestra continues to perform.Videos of their performances

Bembeya Jazz National (also known as “Orchestre de Beyla”)
Formed in 1961, they won the "orchestre moderne" category at the annual arts festivals, the "Quinzaine Artistiques de la Jeunesse", in 1964 and 1965. In October 1966 they were nationalised, the first Federal Orchestra to be awarded this honour. Hamidou Diaouné (aka "Hamidou Diawiné") was the chef d'orchestre and after his retirement Sékou Diabaté took over the lead. The orchestra continues to perform. Videos of their performances are here. Video

Horoya Band National (originally "Milo Jazz", “Horoya Jazz” and “Horoya Band de Kankan”)
Formed in 1964 the Horoya Band de Kankan won the best orchestra prize in 1967, 1968 and 1971 at the Quinzaine Artistiques. They were nationalised on 7 December 1971. Métoura "Papa paya-paya" Traoré was the chef d'orchestre, with Lamine Camara taking over after his retirement. Unlike many other orchestras of the first republic, the Horoya Band continued to perform regularly after 1984 and released numerous cassettes, the most recent "Kooba", in 2007. A live video is and studio video recordings are.

Super Boiro Band (originally “Orchestré de la Garde Républicaine 1^ère formation”)
Formed in 1959, the orchestra were nationalised in 1972. Mamadou Niaissa, the group's trumpet player, was the chef d'orchestre. In the post Sékou Touré era the group were known as Super Flambeau. Videos of their performances are

Prior to the nationalisation of all musical groups in Guinea there were a number of private orchestras:
- L’Orchestre de la Bonne Auberge (see Keletigui et ses Tambourinis)
- La Formation Kerfala Camara Tambourini (Keletigui et ses Tambourinis)
- L'Orchestre Honoré Coppet. (An alto-saxophonist, Honoré Coppet was born in Martinique and travelled to Guinea in circa 1959. He was a member of the Syli Orchestre Nationale. He left Guinea in circa 1964 and lived in Senegal until 1968).

Federal Orchestras

Each préfecture in Guinea was represented by one orchestra. Where multiple orchestras are listed in a préfecture, this reflects the name changes of the orchestras over the years).

Guinean orchestras of the 1st Republic

As published in: Mande popular music and cultural policies in West Africa, by Graeme Counsel. 2009.

Graeme Counsel © Copyright

National Orchestras

Federal Orchestras