Djely Abu Bakr Sory Kouyate is a descendant of El Hadj Djely Sory Kouyate and legendary Bala Fasséké Kouyate, Sunjata's djely. Abu Bakr has been teaching authentic West African drumming for more than forty years. He has worked in schools and in private groups. He is recognized world wide as a master drummer and folklorist. 

Abu Bakr impresses everyone he meets with his great warmth and cheerfulness. No one who drummed with him will forget his expertise and his energy.

On Friday evening, was admitted to Methodist hospital in Houston suffering from heart failure. He was resuscitated but remains in the ICU in a comatose state. We feel his days on this world are coming to a close.

My name is Nicholas. I have been a student of Abu Bakr's for close to twenty years. My purpose here is to inform as many as possible of Abu Bakr's hundreds of friends and students of his situation and to raise a money to help with daughter Mariama and son in law Justice to meet the expenses of Abu Bakr's funeral and memorial. We hope to be able to given Abu Bakr the send-off he deserves as he begins his journey to join the ancestors.