Dudu Kouate

DUDÙ KOUATE
Originally from Dakar, Senegal, Dudù Kouate is a multi-instrumentalist, poet, and cultural mediator. He was born into a family of Griots—traditional storytellers and custodians of African cultural and musical heritage—and has become both a guardian and heir to this ancient musical lineage, passed down through generations. Kouate is dedicated to sharing and revitalizing this tradition in Italy and around the world, reinterpreting it through a modern, inter- and multicultural lens.
Since 2017, he has been a permanent member of the Art Ensemble of Chicago, with whom he has recorded two albums. He has performed at numerous international festivals and prestigious venues, including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center in Washington, and the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, among many others.
Beyond his musical career, Kouate leads workshops on African musical traditions, promoting his culture through musical storytelling and interdisciplinary experiences. With a unique ability to blend tradition and innovation, he creates—through his art—a powerful bridge between African sounds and contemporary musical expressions.