Abou is originally from the capital of Burkino Faso, Ouagadougou, and is of the Mandingue peoples of West Africa. A multi-instrumentalist (doundoun, djembe, ngoni, guitar, balafon), though his favourite instrument is the doundoun. He was born into a griot family on his mother’s side (Diabate) and started playing as a small boy. From the age of seven he was performing by playing at weddings and other ceremonies. He has travelled extensively as an artist performing in festivals across Europe including Switzerland, Denmark, France, Italy, Germany, and Holland with various bands including junk instrument and jazz ensembles.
Abou has lived in the UK for four years and currently teaches on a regular basis in five schools, and also delivers workshops with Drum Cafe. He has recently performed as part of a Royal Shakespeare Company production of Hamlet and performs as a regular member of Afro-jazz fusion group Balimaya Project and the more traditional Bantu Arts as well as The Successors of the Mandingue All Stars.