Mali’s most celebrated ngoni virutuoso Bassekou Kouyate is known for his innovative musical technique as well as for blurring the lines between West African and American blues and roots music. He performs an evening of traditional and original songs with his band Ngoni Ba in Zankel Hall on Friday, March 26 at 10:00 p.m. Kouyate’s instrument, the ngoni, is a supple, rhythmic instrument similar to the lute that was originally used by African griots (oral historians and praise singers) to accompany their storytelling. This performance is presented by Carnegie Hall in partnership with World Music Institute.Bassekou Kouyate was born in the West African village of Garana—the descendent of a long line of griots. His father, Moustapha Kouyate, played the ngoniba, or “large lute,” and his mother Yakare Damba was a singer. When Bassekou was older, his father would send his son on tour with his mother when he became too ill to travel. Bassekou eventually moved to the regional capital, Segu, and began accompanying a number of talented singers, including Nainy Diabaté and Amy Sacko—the singer known as “the Tina Turner” of Mali—who later became his wife.
Bassekou continued to develop his trademark techniques and sound while defining a new role for ngoni players in musical ensembles. His unique methods of picking the strings with both up and down strokes, and sliding and bending notes are now learned by young ngoni players as part of the instrument’s inherited tradition. He has brought international recognition to himself and the ngoni through collaborations with artists ranging from Carlos Santana, U2 and Taj Mahal to Ali Farka Toure, Bonnie Raitt, and Bela Fleck.
Since 2005, Bassekou has led Ngoni Ba, the first-ever group built around four ngonis—all played by members of his family. The group’s second album I Speak Fula was released by Sub Pop Records this month kicking off Bassekou’s first U.S. tour as a headliner. The album provides a star-studded tour of pan-Malian music and includes collaborations with Toumani Diabaté, griot vocal legend Kasse Mady Diabaté, master of the horse-hair soku fiddle Zoumana Tereta, and guitarist Vieux Farka Toure (son of Ali Farka Toure).
The World Music Institute is dedicated to the study and presentation of the finest traditional and contemporary music and dance from around the world. Growing out of a concert program developed at New York’s Alternative Museum begun in 1976, the World Music Institute has presented music from more than 1,400 ensembles and soloists from over 100 countries and regions throughout the world.
Program Information
Friday, March 26 at 10:00 p.m.
Zankel Hall
BASSEKOU KOUYATE, Ngoni
Ngoni Ba
Amy Sacko, Vocals
Moussa Bah, Bass Ngoni
Alou Coulibaly, Calabash
Fousseyni Kouyate, Ngoni Ba
Oumar Kouyate, Ngoni
Moussa Sissoko, Percussion
Presented by Carnegie Hall in partnership with the World Music Institute.
Bank of America is the Proud Season Sponsor of Carnegie Hall.
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Ticket Information |