23 Dec 2014

On tour next: Trio Da Kali



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.

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