Balla Kouyate is an extraordinary balafon player from the Djeli or “griot” tradition in Mali. The Kouyates were the first Djelis in the Mande 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. His father, El Hadj Sekou Kouyate, is the guardian of the very first balafon, the Sosso Bala, dating back more than 800 years.
Balla seemed destined to play this instrument, learning from his father from the age of six years. He performed for the first time in Bamako, Mali at "Palais de la Culture" with Malian singer Sanignai Kouyate. In 1994, he was a member of the Ensemble Instrumentale du Mali. By 1997 he was granted the opportunity to play with singer Ami Koita at the OIA conference, which brought together 27 African presidents.
Balla is very excited about his latest project. He has put together his own band, World Vision. They have played to the delight of audiences across the country including at the 2007 Chicago World Music Festival and the Lowell Folk Festival this past July. Catch them in New Haven, CT in June 2009!
Balla has also been engaged by many African artists to tour in the United States, including Sekouba Bambino Diabate and his sister, Kanibaoulen Kouyate. He has worked extensively with kora master Mamadou Diabate playing venues such as Lincoln Center Outdoor Festival, Symphony Space and festivals around the country. They both have played as part of Rowell Rudd's MALIcool ensemble. In 2004, Balla played with Sidiki Conde at Carnegie Hall for a month-long residency for children. The two have been artists-in-residence twice in Minneapolis for the VSA. 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, to his knowledge the first chromatic balafon ever.
Balla's superior musicianship has been featured on at least 45 albums. He can also be heard on the track "This Little Light of Mine" on Yo-Yo Ma's latest CD, Songs of Joy and Peace. Balla's own debut CD, released at the end of 2007, is titled Sababu referring to his destiny as a balafon player. Stay tuned for more music as the band has begun recording Balla's second CD! Check out the Collaborations page on his website to see more of his current and past projects.
salut notre projet de musique solidaire avance : le clip de Ladilikan (fruit du notre travail pour la saison hivers 2008 )est en ligne sur notre page myspace. Il sort actuellement à l'ORTM. voilà pour nos actualités, bonne route pour vos projets!!! nico pour djurukan bora
bojoure erésse anné à toi balla kouyate et à tou les artistes du monde entier sante prosperite bonère et sur tou moin de probleme soiagno posetife que la paix du segnere soia dans nos coeur(hala ka airèke)dribassiste
C'est un honneur pour "de passage" de devenir votre ami ! M. Kouyate BRAVO ! votre reprise de Compay segundo est magnifique ! Un exemple de virtuosité au service de la musique ! BRAVO !
WONDERFUL PLAYING! YOU ARE CERTAINLY A MASTER. LOVE YOUR STYLE TOO! You MUST see the new photos of some very old xylphones from Africa/Chopi/Senufo/Ivory Coast AND some STONE MARIMBAS FROM VIETNAM including this TURQUOISE MARIMBA. LISTEN TO STONE MARIMBA AT VIETNAM LINK.
