Oumar Konate

From Gao Mali, Oumar Konaté caught people's attention in primary school on the strength of his talent with an old bucket in the streets. In high school, he accompanied the Gao Orchestra on their national tour. He then went on to enroll at the National Institute of Arts in Bamako (LINA) and self-recorded his first album "’Lahidou (The Oath)" in 2008. Konaté has accompanied several famous Malian artists: Vieux Farka Toure, Kounkako Sata, Roberto Magic, Alpha Diakité, Sidi Touré, Khaira Arby, Hama Sankare among others. In 2011 he was asked by band leader Boncana Maiga to be guitarist and arranger for «Tounkagouna», a monthly musical variety program broadcast on several African television networks (ORTM, CFI, TV5) where he accompanied many international stars.

In 2008 Konaté performed at Mali’s National Biennale in Kayes as guitarist and arranger for the National Institute Orchestra.
In 2009, he represented Mali at the UNESCO festival in Gambia.
In 2010, Konaté was invited to perform at the Mali Voices Festival in Sweden.
In January 2012, Konaté appeared at the Festival au Desert in Timbuktu, Mali. In that same year Clermont Music invited him to accompany Khaira Arby and her band on her tour of the US and Canada. In the summer of 2012 Konaté toured the US playing at NY’s Lincoln Center, at the Grassroots Festival and at other venues where he received audience raves. During 2013 and 2014, Konaté toured Europe as a member of Vieux Farka Toure’s band.
In May 2014, Clermont Music released his first international album, “Addoh”, and Konaté that summer toured North America again receiving enthusiastic audience response.
In 2016 Konaté was awarded a Tamani d’Or by the Malian music industry for his work. That same year Clermont Music released his second international album « Maya Maya » which also earned critical praise.
In 2017 Clermont released “Live in America” followed in 2018 by “Live in Bamako” both receiving favorable notices.