New England Conservatory opened the concert season with a live concert featuring an all-star faculty ensemble from the Contemporary Musical Arts department. The show featured music from Persian, Appalachian, Middle Eastern, African and Jewish traditions as well as jazz, avant-garde music, new works and more. In this performance, the New England Conservatory performs Balla Kouyaté‘s “Democracy” as the finale of their annual Opening Night concert at NEC’s Jordan Hall on September 5, 2023.
Born in Mali and raised in the jeli tradition, balafon maestro Balla Kouyaté’s knowledge of his traditional repertoire is unparalleled. He is featured on over 50 albums including Silkroad’s Sing Me Home, Yo-Yo Ma’s Songs of Joy and Peace, Angelique Kidjo’s Oyo and Vusi Mahlasela’s Say Africa.
Musicians include: Warren Senders, voice; Mal Barsamian, clarinet; Eden MacAdam-Somer, violin; Liz Knowles, fiddle; Nima Janmohammadi, livta; Hui Went, guzheng; Balla Kouyaté, balafon; Hankus Netsky, piano; Mehmet Ali Sanlikol, piano; Jerry Leake, percussion; Cristi Catt, voice; Daniela Tosic, voice (guest artist); and Rachel Jayson, viola (guest artist).
Author: World Music Central News Room
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