Bassekou Kouyate

Bassekou Kouyate is one of the true masters of the ngoni, an ancient traditional lute found throughout West Africa, and he has collaborated with many musicians in and outside of Mali, such as Ali Farka Toure, Toumani Diabate, Taj Mahal, Damon Alban, Joachim Kühn…).
He rejoices in an unusual band formation, which includes three players of the n’goni, manifested in its differing tonal sizes and 2 percussionists (talking drum, Yabara, Calebasse). Completed by the fantastic singer Amy Sacko, the band performed already at major festival around the globe (e.g. Glastonbury, Roskilde, Fuji Rock Festival, North Sea jazz Festival, WOMAD). In 2013 the BBC chose Bassekou as “best African artist of the year”. His new CD “Miri” is #1 in the world music charts Europe in February and March 2019 and has be voted as “Best Album of the Year” by Songlines magazine.
Besides Ngoni ba, Bassekou Kouyate is also available for projects in the field of jazz, blues & world music