Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba are set to perform on Saturday, February 17, 2024, at 8:00 pm at Roulette in New York City. The Malian virtuoso, descended from a long line of jalis or griots (storytellers/historians), is Mali’s legendary master of the ngoni, an ancient West African lute. Renowned for his innovations, Bassekou Kouyate takes the ngoni into the 21st century and is credited with creating the first ensemble featuring ngonis of different sizes to provide the different ‘voices’ needed for the music.
In his long career, he has collaborated with such musical icons as Toumani Diabate, Ali Farka Toure, Taj Mahal, Paul McCartney, Bono, Bonnie Raitt and Bela Fleck, and toured the world with his powerful Ngoni Ba ensemble. Amy Sacko, Bassekou’s wife, performs outstanding lead vocals.
Roulette is located at 509 Atlantic Avenue at 3rd Avenue, Downtown Brooklyn, 917-267-0363.
More about the concert: roulette.org/event/bassekou-kouyate-ngoni-ba-2024