ADAMA DEMBELE DE ZOUMBA
Afroblues / Afrofusion (Burkina Faso)
Adama Dembélé De Zoumba developed an interest in music at a very young age. He began his musical journey with traditional instruments such as the djembe, balafon, and N’goni. In 1990, he expanded his musical knowledge to include modern and classical instruments like the drums and piano.
In 1997, he released his first album in Finland, showcasing his talents as a songwriter and composer. Throughout his career, Adama has played with various groups from Burkina Faso, including Djamaa Band, La Dernière Trompette, and Groupe Vision. He has also contributed to albums for other artists, such as Ella Nikièma, Patrice Kabore in the USA, and Kounandi. In the United States, Adama is celebrated as an ambassador of African culture, particularly Burkinabe music. He collaborated with musicians across genres including rap, blues, soul, jazz, R&B, and country music, performing in venues mostly in New York and its surroundings. He recorded albums for emerging artists like Lux-Land from New Jersey at DML Studio and led workshops on African and world music at New York University (NYU).
On September 11, 2007, Adama was the only African artist invited to perform at a commemorative concert in Central Park for the victims of the World Trade Centre attacks. That year, he toured the U.S., including cities such as Chicago, Seattle, Pennsylvania, and Nebraska. In June 2007, he released the album "I Gad Do" produced by Daniel Laporte. Returning to Burkina Faso in late 2007, Adama developed a unique fusion style of blues and jazz. In 2009, he toured France, and in 2010, he performed at the Musicaves and Cours des Miracles festivals. Limouz’ Art Productions then signed him for a European tour, which gave his music extensive exposure in the French market. In 2011, he was featured at the Jazz à Ouaga festival in Africa, captivating audiences with his blend of traditional and modern blues jazz.
In September 2011, Adama embarked on another European tour, where he met the renowned French blues group Hatmans Sessions, led by the talented Nasser Bendadoui and his five musicians. This encounter enriched Adama's passion for fusion blues-jazz music, blending influences from West Africa, North Africa, the USA, and France. A lasting friendship and mutual appreciation for Burkinabe, Algerian, and French music developed between Adama and Hatmans Sessions. From 2013 to 2014, Adama worked with musicians in Germany, and from 2014 to 2015, he focused mainly on film music in France. He composed soundtracks for Apolline Traoré's films "The Testament" and "Moi Jefoura" in 2016 and also for the movies "Le Trousseau de Mariage, "Le Prix Sang", and "Les Amazones du Cinéma. Adama also conducted workshops for children on film music in Bobo-Dioulasso, and from 2019 to 2020, he worked in France on cine-concerts, live music performances accompanying silent films in French cinemas.
Since 2022, Adama has been training young musicians from France and Burkina Faso in the art of film music and has also been touring and performing extensively on the global music circuit.
