Madina N'Diaye ‘s first album will be available in January 2006 in the UK and US, on the Sound of World label (distributed by Harmonia Mundi).

Led by her love for Manding tunes, Madina N’Diaye, holds and claims an original status in the West-Africa musical landscape. She is currently the only Malian woman on stage, accompanied by a kora, one of the most emblematic instruments in the Malian musical heritage.

Armed with her kora, her compositions and her commitments for women’s causes, Madina opens the way to a new phenomenon in Mali: women who have access to musical instruments usually played by men or by the “jeli” (griot) caste.

Despite some traditionalists’ wrath, she made herself known as a talented author, composer and performer. Trained by well known masters like Toumani Diabate and Djélimadi Cissoko, she carries on her initiation by herself.

In 2003, Madina lost her eyesight because of a serious infection. Despite her handicap, she did not stop the rehearsals and has completed an album.