Bailo Bah was born in Guinea in 1946 from a vietnamese mother and a Peul (Fulani) father. They met in Indochina where his father was serving in the French Army. Bailo learned to play the tambin from his grandfather in his village. One day the grandfather called everybody from the village and beyond and declared to everyone that he was tired and he wasn't going to play anymore and that this young boy, Bailo, was his successor. A ceremony ensued and Bailo played all night until sunrise. At 15 years-old, Bailo left his village to go to Dakar, looking to find work using his musical abilities. The trip that started then lasted many years and took him through much of West-Africa: Senegal, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, all the way to the Ivory Coast where he became one of the greatest flutists in this African musical powerhouse city. Bailo participated in countless festivals, recordings, and tours around the world. He was the flutist for the Ballets Koteba for 22 years and toured with the famous show "Africa Oye." In New York City since 1999, he has recorded and performed with artists as diverse as Richard Bona, Prince Diabate, Butch Morris, rappers Dru Hill, Source, and many others. Bailo is the star of Fula Flute and a musician of tremendous depth and power.

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