The three musicians of Trio
Da Kali hail from the Mande culture of Mali, from a heritage of distinguished
griots, the caste of hereditary musical artisans. This unique, dazzlingly
understated trio returns to the original spirit of griot music before it went
electric, in a fresh, contemporary voice. They revive a neglected
repertoire, with stunningly beautiful songs celebrating life and love in the
deep Mande countryside. The trio’s performance revolves around the soaring,
rounded voice of Hawa Kassé Mady (daughter of legendary singer Kasse Mady
Diabaté). While few can match the lyricism and dazzling virtuosity of ensemble
leader Lassana Diabaté on the balafon (seen with Afrocubism), Mamadou Kouyaté
(eldest son of Bassekou Kouyate) completes the trio with punchy bass lines on
the ngoni, West Africa’s oldest string instrument.
Since their debut at the BBC Proms in 2013 the trio
has gone on to collaborate with the celebrated Kronos Quartet, and as well as
kora maestro Toumani Diabate, and will be releasing their first EP album on
World Circuit for this their first UK tour.
