Biography
From: http://www.kennedy-center.org/explorer/artists/?entity_id=68534&source_type=B"At an early age, Mayoro
“Yoro” Ndiaye used to hide in his father’s joinery workshop to create
his own hand-made guitars. He spent time with local musicians in Mbacke,
his hometown in Senegal, which provided him with a solid knowledge
about the basics of music. From 1993 to 1995, while attending
university, he was lead vocalist for the regional orchestra of Diourbel.
As his love for music grew, Yoro decided to pursue music full time and
dropped out of school one year before graduating to begin his solo
career. Performing with only his guitar, he travelled throughout
Senegal, playing mainly for cultural events at schools where he built a
significant fan base. In 2000, Yoro moved to Dakar where he worked for
the Club Med Hotel as an instructor and performed every Tuesday for
three years. In 2002, he released the song “Africa” on the first
Senegalese folk music compilation, Senegal Folk, which included national
celebrities like Souleymane Faye and Pape Niang. Yoro’s voice also
appeared on the track “Senegal Dou Fi Yem,” in tribute to the national
football team. In 2003, Yoro caught the attention of Youssou N’dour who
booked him as his supporting act during his performances at Thiossane
and other venues in Senegal. He was also invited to join the tour of Les
Frères Guissé. In 2004, Yoro and his group Le Yoon Wi (The Way)
released six tracks from their first album, Beug Dèm (Dreams of Leaving)
in Senegal. In 2005, the full album of 11 tracks was released as Bêgg
Dem on Ethnoworld Music in Italy, and was distributed in Germany, France
and Spain. In 2006, another seven tracks were released in Senegal under
the title Nittou Nitt (Friend of a Man) and the song “Xarit” was
proclaimed “Hit of the Year.” Yoro performed nightly at the top jazz
clubs in Paris for nine months in 2007, followed by an extended tour of
24 schools in Dakar. Yoro’s popularity grows daily, and he is considered
by his peers to be a leader of the new generation of Senegalese music.
His performances in venues and festivals throughout western Africa and
Europe continue to draw large audiences. In 2009, Yoro signed with New
African Production for distribution, promotion, and touring in the U.S."
“Yoro” Ndiaye used to hide in his father’s joinery workshop to create
his own hand-made guitars. He spent time with local musicians in Mbacke,
his hometown in Senegal, which provided him with a solid knowledge
about the basics of music. From 1993 to 1995, while attending
university, he was lead vocalist for the regional orchestra of Diourbel.
As his love for music grew, Yoro decided to pursue music full time and
dropped out of school one year before graduating to begin his solo
career. Performing with only his guitar, he travelled throughout
Senegal, playing mainly for cultural events at schools where he built a
significant fan base. In 2000, Yoro moved to Dakar where he worked for
the Club Med Hotel as an instructor and performed every Tuesday for
three years. In 2002, he released the song “Africa” on the first
Senegalese folk music compilation, Senegal Folk, which included national
celebrities like Souleymane Faye and Pape Niang. Yoro’s voice also
appeared on the track “Senegal Dou Fi Yem,” in tribute to the national
football team. In 2003, Yoro caught the attention of Youssou N’dour who
booked him as his supporting act during his performances at Thiossane
and other venues in Senegal. He was also invited to join the tour of Les
Frères Guissé. In 2004, Yoro and his group Le Yoon Wi (The Way)
released six tracks from their first album, Beug Dèm (Dreams of Leaving)
in Senegal. In 2005, the full album of 11 tracks was released as Bêgg
Dem on Ethnoworld Music in Italy, and was distributed in Germany, France
and Spain. In 2006, another seven tracks were released in Senegal under
the title Nittou Nitt (Friend of a Man) and the song “Xarit” was
proclaimed “Hit of the Year.” Yoro performed nightly at the top jazz
clubs in Paris for nine months in 2007, followed by an extended tour of
24 schools in Dakar. Yoro’s popularity grows daily, and he is considered
by his peers to be a leader of the new generation of Senegalese music.
His performances in venues and festivals throughout western Africa and
Europe continue to draw large audiences. In 2009, Yoro signed with New
African Production for distribution, promotion, and touring in the U.S."