Yakou Daniel N'GUESSAN

INTRODUCTION

Yakou Nguessan is an internationally known jazz drummer, composer, and producer from the Ivory Coast. Influenced by the unique tribal languages of his native country, he blends jazz and African beats to form World Music. Nguessan’s mother sang in the church choir and his father was an avid jazz fan. He began playing the drums at church at age of 7. By the age of 15 he was earning money as a drummer. Nguessan’s love for music led him to pursue a master’s in musicology from the Institut National Superieur des Arts et de l’Action Culturelle (INSAAC) in Abidjan.

Nguessan shared, “groove, musicality and, creativity are what attracts him to the likes of drummers Paco Sery, Antonio Sanchez, Robert Searight II, Art Blakey, Max Roach, Tony Williams, Billy Cobham, and Vinnie Colaiuta”. He is also inspired by John Coltrane, Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, Pat Metheny, and Herbie Hancock.