Jazz & Co opens its 18th edition in Conakry with a tribute to MC

The official banner of the 18th edition. © Guinée Jazz Festival

An opening under the sign of transmission

Conakry has its jazz back. On Thursday, November 12, 2026, the Franco-Guinean Cultural Centre (CCFG) hosted the opening ceremony of the 18th Festival Jazz & Co, organized by Guinée Jazz Festival. The tone is set right on the banner: “Guinean music celebrates its legends”. The whole edition is placed under the sign of transmission and recognition — honouring the masters in their lifetime, and passing the torch.

Maria Diané is the patron of this 18th edition, a gathering backed by the CCFG, the embassies of Spain and France, and the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Handicrafts.

MC, the guitar Conakry is celebrating

At the heart of the edition, one man and one guitar: Mamadou Camara, known as “MC”, solo guitarist and one of the founding fathers of the Kaloum Star orchestra. He is the artist this year's festival pays tribute to — the musician, and the mentor who trained and inspired generations of Guinean musicians. Two nights of free concerts carry his name, and his own band will close the celebration.

A newborn prize: the Séné Diallo Grand Prize

The opening also saw the birth of an award. Deputy general commissioner Aboubacar Touré announced the creation of the Séné Diallo Grand Prize for the best cultural journalist, in memory of the late media figure. And the prize did not wait: it was awarded at the opening ceremony itself to Fanta KDK Camara, journalist and cultural host at RTG, honoured for her commitment to Guinean culture.

The first night in music

After the speeches, the stage. The first night showcased three colours of Guinean jazz: the Chorale Ministère Synergie du Royaume, Kora Koumakan, and Naromba & Acoustic Band, from Kankan. Voices, a kora and an acoustic band: Guinea's interior answering its capital, and the CCFG audience was treated to a grand-format opening.

Closing this Friday, next stop Boké

The curtain falls quickly — that is the Jazz & Co format: two intense nights. The closing takes place today, Friday, November 13, 2026, from 5 p.m. GMT at the CCFG, with the band MC & Afro Jazz: the tribute will be played in music, by the orchestra of the man being celebrated.

Created in 2004 under the impetus of the African Multimedias Group, the festival has made a habit of travelling: the 2025 edition was held out of the capital, in Dalaba, and the 19th edition has already been announced for Boké. From Conakry to the Fouta, then on to Boké: Jazz & Co stays true to its way — a jazz celebration that goes out to meet the country.

To get ready for the closing night, read our announcement of this edition and explore the festival's story on its Festival TV page.

Moïse 1er, the Festival Explorer / Montréal - Québec - Toronto - Canada