Bassekou Kouyate’s extraordinary musical journey shows that he is unquestionably the most innovative and exciting Malian musician to have emerged in recent years. Having defied tradition, he continues to push the boundaries of his ancient musical heritage, bringing his music to audiences around the world with his phenomenal live band Ngoni ba, comprising of his wife Amy Sacko (a celebrated Malian singer), and featuring the ngoni in several differing tonal sizes, and percussion (talking drum, Yabara, and Calebasse). 

A major star amongst the new generation of African musicians, Bassekou has been revolutionary in establishing a new role for the ngoni, a distant ancestor of the banjo and one of the oldest string instruments in Africa. Comprised of three strings, a calabash gourd and a wooden stick, it has been used for centuries as a secondary orchestral instrument and ceremonial device. By adding strings, developing new techniques of playing and defying tradition by plugging it in and experimenting with sound effects such as the wah-wah peddle, Bassekou has brought the instrument into the musical foreground, where it is now a prominent feature of many Malian bands touring today. In Bassekou’s hands, this seemingly limited instrument has grown to accommodate a wider melodic range and versatility, embracing western styles such as jazz, blues and rock and roll, confirming his status as the originator of the electric ngoni, a virtuoso and a visionary.

Over the course of his career, Bassekou has played with stars such as Bonnie Raitt, Ali Farka Toure and Bono and won praise from legends like Eric Clapton. He also made a foray into blues and country with Taj Mahal and has appeared on line-ups with Africa Express in 2016 alongside Paul Weller and Damon Albarn, and played festivals including Glastonbury, Latitude, Roskilde, Fuji Rock Festival, North Sea Jazz Festival, WOMAD. It is his daring reworking of his musical heritage that makes him a truly contemporary African musician – a visionary and a maverick who has completely changed our perception of this ancient instrument. By reviving one of the oldest instruments in the world he has bridged the gap between the music of his forefathers to the 21st Century, distinguishing him as an exceptionally talented artist of international stature.

Band:
Bassekou Kouyate – lead ngoni
Amy Sacko – lead vocal
Momo Hafsi – electric bass
Franck Mantegari – drums