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BioBembeya Jazz National was formed in Guinea in 1961 by Aboubacar Dembar Camara, specializing in modern arrangements of Manding classic tunes. They won the first two national Biennale festivals in 1962 and 1964 and were crowned National Orchestra in 1966. They reached their peak with the addition of electric guitarist Sekou "Diamond Fingers" Diabate and lead singer Sekouba Mabino Diabate. They gained a cult-like following in Guinea but were prohibited from touring outside the country until the mid-80s. Their most ambitious album, Regard Sur Le Passe, was released in 1968, and a live album, 10 Ans De Succes, was recorded during a 1971 concert. The band faced a setback when Camara was killed in a car accident in 1973. Although they remained together for another eight years, they were unable to duplicate the success of their early years and disbanded in 1991.

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