Koita was born into a Jali family in which music was an accepted form of expression; her ancestral connections reach back to two griot families, Koita (her father’s side) and Kamissoko (by her mother). In 1969, Koita joined the National Instrumental Ensemble of Mali and toured extensively. On her albums (16 so far since 1976) she combines traditional instruments with modern ones, like synthesizers.
Line-up: Ami Koita – voice; Oumar Diabate – guitar; Lansana Sissoko – kora; Cedric Yenk – African drum; Mariam Kouyate – chorus; and Papa Gedeon Diarra – dancer
Her discography includes Classic Titles, Songs of Praise, and Tata Sira.
More details at www.lifem.org.uk
Buy tickets: www.kingsplace.co.uk/lifem2014
Author: World Music Central News Room
World music news from the editors at World Music Central
