JJT Player Bios
CEDRIC BURNSIDE, grandson of the legendary R.L. Burnside, son of drummer great Calvin Jackson, is widely regarded as one of the best drummers in the world. Growing up at his grandfather’s side, he began touring at age 13, playing drums for “Big Daddy” on stages around the globe. He is the winner of the Blues Music Awards “Best New Artist Debut” for the record: ‘The Two Man Wrecking Crew’ in 2009 and “Drummer of the Year” in 2010. After many successful years of touring the world with Lightnin’ Malcolm as ‘the Juke Joint Duo’, Cedric has started a new band: The Cedric Burnside Project. Performed / Recorded With: R.L. Burnside, Burnside Exploration, Bobby Rush, Jimmy Buffett, T Model Ford, Bobby Rush, Honey Boy Edwards, North Mississippi Allstars, Galactic, Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears, Widespread Panic, John Spencer Blues Exploration.
LIGHTNIN‘ MALCOLM — a reckless live performer — has lived and breathed music his whole life, traveling and playing in a slashing, rhythmic style, with deep soulful vocals. Malcolm has played over the years with many of the best Mississippi blues artists, such as Cedell Davis, R.L. Burnside, Hubert Sumlin, Jessie Mae Hemphill, T Model Ford, Jr. Kimbrough, Robert Belfour, Big Jack Johnson, Sam Carr and Otha Turner. Skilled on guitar, bass, and drums, Malcolm is an in demand session player with a telepathic sense of how to follow the older archaic styles, and is especially noted for his old-fashioned, church “shout” style on drums.
Currently FARA TOLNO is focusing his energy locally by developing Kissidugu and Project Drum, an organization focused on bringing West African music and dance into Schools and other organizations. Fara’s performance style has been described as mystical as he dazzles audiences around the world. His greater vision is to build a School of Music, Dance and Education in his home of Guinea, West Africa, and continue to share the knowledge of merging cultures,music, and movement. Fara has performed with many of the world’s premier musicians including Mamady Keita, Burning Spear, Neil Young, Sekouba Bambino, Otis Taylor, Joe Cocker, Youssou N’Dour, Salif Keita Habibe Koite, Oumou Sangare.
ALYA SYLLA was born April 22, 1985 in the village of Bromaya Coumbaya in Guinea, West Africa. He began playing djembe and balafon when he was five years old. Alya started his training with Ballet Fareta, and was also in Ballet Samato, and Papa Kouyate’s company, Petit Sorcier. He has traveled and performed with these ballets in Africa, as well as Europe. He has also played with famous Guinea artists like Sia Tolno. Alya came to the United States in December of 2009. He is now teaching, studying, and performing with Fara Tolno and the Kissidugu Ensemble.
Winner of the 2008 International Blues Challenge (IBC) in Memphis, TN for solo performer, LIONEL YOUNG has won numerous other awards including: The Young Artist Award -Pittsburgh Symphony, and Westword’s Best of Denver 1989 for his band the Last Fair Deal. In 1992 he won a position with the Denver Chamber Orchestra and premiered a solo piece by William Hill. Lionel also won another award for Best Blues Band in Westword’s Best of Denver in 1996 and 1997 for his current incarnation – The Lionel Young Band. Releasing their first CD – As the Sun Goes Down – in December 1997, the disc has received excellent reviews regionally & nationally. Lionel has played in concerts with Count Basie, Stevie Wonder, Jimmy Paige/Robert Plant, James Taylor, Doc Severenson, Linda Ronstadt, Living Color, Billy Taylor, Woodie Herman, Stanley Turrentine, Homesick James, Homer Brown, Hamlet Bluiett, Chief Bae, and Johnny Long.
GERRY HUNDT was playing Chicago Blues in taverns before he was allowed to drink in them. Born in Wisconsin and raised in Rockford, Illinois, Gerry has since lived in Vermont, New York City, Colorado, and Chicago. In Denver, he worked, toured, and recorded with the likes of John-Alex Mason, Ronnie Shellist, The ClamDaddys, and Easy Bill. From 2004 through 2009, Gerry toured the USA and EU relentlessly as a member of Chicago’s Nick Moss & The Flip-Tops, filling the role of “utility man,” playing bass, guitar, harmonica, and, of course, mandolin. On the strength of his critically-acclaimed Blue Bella Records CD, “Since Way Back,” Gerry was nominated for Blues Music Awards in 2008, 2009, 2010 & 2011 for Best Instrumentalist, Other (Mandolin), and featured at the Montreal Jazz Festival and The Blues Station in Tournon d’Agenais, France.
CODY BURNSIDE is the grandson of Hill Country Blues legend R.L. Burnside. Performed / Recorded With: R. L. Burnside, North Mississippi Allstars, Widespread Panic, Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears, Dwayne Burnside, Luther Dickinson
ANDY IRVINE is currently touring and performing live with: Mississippi based piano virtuoso Eden Brent, Colorado based blues Duo, The Jelly Roll Bakers, and his own Andy Irvine Group. His history also includes national touring with such groups as On The One, Giant People and founding the south Florida “futuristic groove trio” Beanstalk. Andy has contributed his solid bass and electric guitar work to 40 albums with national and international artists ranging from legendary cult troubadour Tiny Tim to the intense and bazaar shock rocker GG Allin thus far in his career.
FACINET BANGOURA was born in the village of Forecayah in Guinea, West Africa. His family was descended from a long line of Diali (Griot), or keepers of the history and culture as it is expressed through musical traditions. Facinet was called into the lineage of the Diali at age seven, at which time he began his formal training on the balafon under the tutelage of Khaly Camara. In 1996 Facinet was invited to become a member of the world renowned performance ensemble, Wofa. He toured with the company for several years before relocating to the United States.
