Balla Kouyaté is considered to be among the greatest balafon players from the Djeli or Griot tradition in Mali. The Kouyatés were the first Djelis in the Mandé Empire. The balafon (ancestor of the xylophone) was given to Balla's ancestors by nobles in the 13th century and has remained in his family ever since.
Balla seemed destined to play this instrument, beginning his formal learning at the age of six. He performed for the first time in Bamako, Mali at Palais de la Culture with Malian singer Sanignai Kouyaté. In 1994, he was a member of the renowned Ensemble Nationale du Mali. By 1997 he was granted the opportunity to play with singer Ami Koïta at the OIA conference, which brought together 27 African presidents.
Balla has been called on to play with many African artists touring in the United States and his superior musicianship has been featured on at least 45 albums. He has worked extensively with kora master Mamadou Diabaté playing venues such as Lincoln Center Outdoor Festival, Symphony Space and festivals around the country. He has also collaborated with Roswell Rudd's MALIcool ensemble. In 2004, Balla played with Sidiki Condé at Carnegie Hall for a month-long residency for children. Balla also worked with Sidiki doing residencies in Florida and Minnesota in 2004, 2006 and 2008 with the VSA Arts organizations for people with various disabilities. Balla also has been engaged by many African artists who tour in the United States, including Sekouba Bambino Diabaté, Mah Kouyaté and Oumou Dioubaté. He joined Ursel Schlicht's Ex Tempore in 2004. While playing with Ex Tempore, he felt the need to expand the tonal possibilities of the balafon and created a chromatic instrument, using two balafons. This allows him to play any style music in any key. Check out his Collaborations page to see more of his current and past projects.
Balla is delighted to be working with a talented group of artists who he brought together in 2007 to form World Vision. The group has performed at festivals and venues across the country including the Chicago World Music Festival and the Lowell Folk Festival. They have begun recording Balla's second CD due out at the end of the year. Stay tuned for more news about this dynamic group of musicians and check the listings for a show near you! |
