Live Band Bios
L to R: Fara, Alya, John-Alex, Lionel, Ronnie, Todd.
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.
RONNIE SHELLIST has been working on his craft for 14 years now. Harmonica was his first true passion and anything you hear him play is coming straight from the heart. Currently, there is nothing more important to him than sharing his knowledge of the harmonica to help others enjoy playing as much as he does. Ronnie truly wants to see everyone succeed with their musical goals and enjoy the experience along the way. In 2006, he was featured on the Today Show for his harmonica video postings on YouTube. He currently spends his time creating instructional material for Harmonica123, teaching harmonica, and performing live blues in Denver, CO.
TODD “BUCKWEED” EDMUNDS mentors were Bernard Odum and Laffeyette Neal. Laffeyette played B3 and keys with BB KING and Bernard played Bass and sang with James Brown since the end of WW2. Todd was a driving force behind the road dog touring outfit Jason Ricci and New Blood. Todd has played bass or tuba professionally with almost anyone you can think of; Pondo Sinatra, Shelley Magee and Bluesdeville, Drink Small, Nappy Brown, Mary Ward, G.C. Cameron “Spinners/Temps” Lee Barbour and Skip Person, Fred Wesley, John Blackwell, Chris Potter, Joe Sample, Ron Westray and Wycliffe Gordon, Dunzip, Deitra Farr, Lee Shot Williams, Emekris (reggae), Marvin “Doc” Holliday (Dizzy, Mingus, Basie), Roger Bellows (master picker), Buzz Clifford, James McEntyre, Armen Boyajin, Eric Hillman, Rickey Godfrey, Kerry Michaels, Clifford Curry, Billy Scott, Dave Freeman and more…
