Malian virtuoso Bassekou Kouyate and vocalist Amy Sacko deliver a powerful, contemporary take on traditional griot music.
Acclaimed Malian musician Bassekou Kouyate is celebrated worldwide for his extraordinary virtuosity on the ngoni, the ancient West African lute, and for his pioneering work as an innovator blending traditional griot music with modern genres. He has given his instrument a global profile and has shared stages with international legends including Youssou N’Dour, Ali Farka Toure, Toumani Diabate, Bela Fleck, Damon Albarn, Carlos Santana, U2.
After five albums with his band Ngoni Ba, Bassekou released a new album with his wife Amy Sacko in 2024: Djudjon, L’Oiseau de Garana. The album hit #1in the World Music Charts, #2 in the Transglobal Charts and it’s acclaimed as a convincing masterpiece.
The album focuses on the universal story of Bassekou and Amy’s roots and finds them at home in a tribute to their tradition, their ancestors, to their local society and culture. Djudjon, L’Oiseau de Garana takes the listener on a journey to deeper places in the soul, on a trip to the earthly roots that connect humanity. It is Mali Blues at its best.
