Bassekou Kouyate and Ngoni Ba at The Strand March 28th

Sunday, March 28 at 2:30 PM.

Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba
Mali, West Africa

Malian sensation Bassekou Kouyate and his band Ngoni Ba will be touring North America (their first time as headliners!) to promote the release of their second album, I Speak Fula. Since 2005, Bassekou has led Ngoni Ba, the first-ever group built around not one but four ngonis (an ancient traditional lute found throughout West Africa), all played by members of his family. The music that Bassekou Kouyate and his three ngoni accompanists coax from this simple instrument is extraordinary—intricately woven lines, crisp bluesy riffs and funky ostinato patterns, along with wild rocking solos. Add the lilting griot melodies from Ami Sacko, Bassekou’s wife, and the driving West African rhythms of a percussionist, and you’ve got one of the hottest new bands from Mali.

NEW ALBUM:

Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni ba – I speak Fula

First press reactions:
“This is a cracker.” **** Mojo

“A contender for African album of the year.” ***** Uncut

After his award winning album, ,Segu Blue’ the ngoni wizard from Mali is back with a new offering: ‚I speak fula’. The album captures the incredible live energy of Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni ba and is the next step in the career of one of Malis most exciting and innovative musicians.

The back of this album shows Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni ba standing on the street with the legendary train station of Bamako behind them. In the 80s a young Bassekou Kouyate played a concert there together with members of the famous Rail Band. During the show Bassekou suddenly stood up and walked up to the front of the stage. For the first time a ngoni player strapped his instrument over his shoulder like an electric guitar and was playing a solo standing up. The audience was stunned. Traditionalists even started a debate after the concert about whether this young man was allowed to change the style of playing ngoni. What was new then has long become common practice in Mali today.

$18/Adults, $8/Students (18 and under – General Admission. NOW available in advance at the Strand Box Office (online, phone and walk-up window).

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link to official site