Nicknamed Balafon Mania, Balla Kouyate is considered to be among the greatest bala (balaphone or balafon) players in the world today. A virtuoso, he plays two instruments to get a chromatic scale, allowing him to play any genre of music in any key. His speed is astonishing as he moves effortlessly between the two balas, delivering his signature melodies and complex improvisations.
Balla began to play the bala at the age of six and did his first show in Bamako, Mali, at the Palais de la Culture with Malian singer Sanignai Kouyate.
In 1994 he became a member of the National Percussion of Mali. By 1997 he was granted the opportunity to play with singer Ami Koita at an international conference.
Balla has been featured on at least 45 albums including Angelique Kidjo’s Oyo and Yo-Yo Ma’s Grammy-winning Songs of Joy and Peace, and has collaborated with Mamadou Diabate, Susan McKeown, Vusi Mahlasela, Roswell Rudd’s MALIcool ensemble, and Schlicht’s Tempore.
Balla was awarded the 2010 Massachusetts Cultural Council’s Artist Fellowship for the Traditional Arts. In 2012 he received an Apprenticeship grant to begin teaching his son the jeli repertoire on the balafon.
His group, World Vision, is a fusion of his traditional music with Jazz, Blues, Cuban, and other genres. Their captivating melodies and rhythms have wowed audiences at festivals across the United States including the 2009 Folk Art Market, the 2008 Lowell Folk Festival and the 2007 Chicago World Music Festival.
Balla has been collaborating for over 10 years with Mike Block (Yo-Yo Ma’s Silkroad Ensemble), an American cellist, vocalist, and composer.
Discography:
Sababu (2007)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.