Jacoub Kone was born in Segou in 1958. He started playing drums in 1973, and studied with Makan Sidibe, a well known djembe player from Guinea, and “Mandinka foli” player. After his teacher’s departure, Jacoub studied the music of the Segou region and is now familiar with any djembe rhythm of the area. He received his “degree” in drumming in 1983 by winning a regional djembe competition.

A well studied percussionist, Jacoub is also a master of the bongulo. The bongulo is a smaller drum than the djembe and is often played with one hand and one stick. The oldest music of the Bamana people is played with the bongulo and barra, a large, kettle-shaped bass drum. Presently, Jacoub Kone is well known as an elder master of the Segou region. The djembe he plays on these recordings is 23 years old.