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 great Kerfala "Grand Papa" Diabaté, an original member of Guinea's famed Syli Orchestre National. Having grown to over 30 musicians, the Syli Orchestre National was split into two new formations, Orchestre du Jardin de Guinée (led by Mamadi Kourouma, and later by Balla Onivogui and re-named as Balla et ses Balladins) and Orchestre de la Pailotte (led by "Grand Papa" Diabaté and then by Kélétigui Traoré and renamed as Kélétigui et ses Tambourinis). Condé began playing with 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, Linké Condé became the chef d'orchestre.

Of all the Guinean musicians I had the fortune to meet, no-one had greater knowledge of Guinean orchestras 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 the recordings I had recently archived. Sometimes, these 1/4" tape studio recordings 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, but a close listening to the Tambourinis sound in the 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 his orchestra at La Pailotte, 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 me and with his time, always cheerful, and always willing to share his knowledge and memories. I miss him dearly.

My condolescences to his family and friends. May he rest in peace.