Bassekou Kouyate is one of the true masters and the ambassador of the ngoni, an ancient traditional lute found throughout West Africa. 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. Pushing the boundaries of what was previously thought possible with this instrument, Bassekou went even further in his rebellion when he eventually formed the first full ngoni band, the Ngoni ba, consisting of ngonis of various sizes and tonal range. Comprised of his wife Amy Sacko (a popular Malian singer often hailed as “the Tina Turner of Mali’) and sons Madou and Mustafa Kouyate, Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni ba now tour the world playing hundreds of performances a year ranging from Fuji Rock in Japan, Roskilde in Denmark, Northsea Jazz Festival in Netherlands to Glastonbury and Latitude festivals in UK. After his last two celebrated albums that went more in a rock direction, Bassekou Kouyate returns with the more subtle and rootsy album: “Miri” (dream or contemplation in Bamana). “Miri” is an album about love, friendship, family and true values in times of crisis.
