He’s been hailed as the “African Clapton” because of his great talent as a guitarist.  Tonight, Malian musician Habib Koite brings his ability and band, Bamada, to the Zellerbach Theater.

Koite is a triple threat, say concert organizers: a composer, singer, and guitarist.  He has won a reputation in world music circled for successfully meldings of acoustic guitar with traditional African instruments.

Koite, says Rhythm Magazine, is “the perfect world music artist” whose work “has the kind of intregrity and balance that promises lasting stardom.”

The guitarist descends from a long line of griots – storytellers – who relay tales, fables and folklore.  His mother was one, and he would accompany her storied with music from his guitar.

His guitar playing-passion was influenced by his grandfather, who picked the kamele n’goni, a stringed instrument associated with hunters from the Wassolou region of Mali.

After years as a solo act, Koite formed his own band, Bamada, whose music and presentation was well received in West Africa.  He has been especially successful melding the modern and traditional music of Mali.

The Santa Barbara News-Press has said, “Koite weaves jazz riffs, flamenco runs, calypso and American-sounding pentatonic blues in a vibrant, danssa-style bed of rhythms, textures and melodies laid down by his band, Bamada.” Nuff said.