Radio Africa

Linké Condé 1940-2021
- in memoriam

 
 
 
 

Linké Condé has passed away. He died in Conakry on 10 April 2021 after a long illness.
Guinea, and the world, have lost a great treasure.


Linké Condé was the guitarist in Guinea's national orchestra, Kélétigui et ses Tambourinis. Guinea has many famous guitarists, but few outside of Guinea have recognised the talents and creativity of Condé's musical contribution to the valorisation of his nation's music.

Condé's musical awakening began when he was inspired by the guitarist Kerfala "Grand Papa" Diabaté, an original member of Guinea's famed Syli Orchestre National. In the early 1960s, having grown to over 30 musicians, the orchestra was split into two formations, the Orchestre du Jardin de Guinée (led by Mamadi Kourouma, and later by Balla Onivogui and re-named as Balla et ses Balladins) and the Orchestre de la Pailotte (led by "Grand Papa" Diabaté and then by Kélétigui Traoré and renamed as Kélétigui et ses Tambourinis). Condé began his musical career with the orchestra Les Déménageurs Africains before moving to Le Climat de Guinée and then to Orchestre de la Pailotte. He was a founding member of Kélétigui et ses Tambourinis and after the death of Kélétigui Traoré he became the chef d'orchestre.

Of all the Guinean musicians I have had the fortune to meet, no-one had a greater knowledge of Guinean music than Linké Condé. During my archival projects at Radio Télévision Guinée, I would often go to La Pailotte and sit with the musicians of Guinea's 1st republic and we would listen to recordings I had recently archived. Sometimes, these songs recorded on 1/4" tape had no name and no information written on them, but Linké could identify the song and the performer in a flash. His knowledge of Cuban music was equally as encyclopedic, and during an era when every other Guinean orchestra would feature two or three electric guitarists, Kélétigui et ses Tambourinis featured just one: Linké Condé. His solos and rhythm guitar accompaniment weren't always mixed into the foreground to the extent of other bands of the era, for example, Bembeya Jazz, as they predate the "modern" Syliphone studio facilities of post 1967, but a close listening to the Tambourinis sound in the mid 1960s reveals his inventive and groovy ostinato patterns straight out of the best of the Mandé griots lute repertoire. Listen to Mariama from circa 1964 as an example, and listen to Kesso to hear Linké in full flight.

Sékou "Diamond Fingers" Diabaté (left) and Linké Condé. 2012.
Image copyright Graeme Counsel 2021

Linké Condé's last years were very difficult. Though he lost his eyesight while in his 50s, it did not deter him from leading the Tambourinis. I saw many a rehearsal and performance of the orchestra at the La Pailotte venue, marvelling at their rendition of Soundiata which featured Linké's guitar solos. In 2019, he suffered a stroke which left him paralysed and bed-ridden, and he was no longer able to lead the band.

Linké was always very generous with his time and always willing to share his knowledge and memories. He was always cheerful, and I miss him dearly.

My condolescences to his family and friends. May he rest in peace. A video of Linké Condé with Keletigui et ses Tambourinis is here. His solo commences at 5' 10".

Unfortunately the video needs repair, and we hope that the staff at Radio Television Guinee are working on its restoration.

Copyright 2021