Bassekou Kouyate is the leading player of the ngoni, the West African long-necked lute. He made the instrument internationally known by adding extra strings and running it through effects units. The result is a sound world that moves between blues, jazz, rock and traditional Malian music. Blues musician Taj Mahal, with whom he has worked, calls him living proof that the blues comes from Mali.

In the griot programme Folo Djelia, Kouyate returns to the music of his parents and gives it a reading of his own. He performs it together with singer Amy Sacko, his wife. Nothing but ngoni and voice, a repertoire spanning generations and a concert with the character of chamber music.

‘Ngoni virtuoso Bassekou Kouyate can make notes bend like light rays in the desert heat’ (Time Out).

Amy Sacko vocals, Bassekou Kouyate ngoni