Trio Da Kali

Musical royalty

Extended, incantational song lines arranged on a bed of spiralling sounds, lovingly struck on the balafon (wooden xylophone) and slowly strummed on the strings of the bas-n’goni (lute). That terrific voice belongs to Hawa Kassé Mady Diabaté, daughter and rightful successor to one of Africa’s greatest singers, Kassé Mady Diabaté from Mali, who died four years ago. Producer Lucy Duran, who has already assembled some brilliant line-ups, linked Hawa with the virtuoso balafon player Fodé Lassana Diabaté and with Mamadou Kouyaté, son of an equally famous father: Bassekou Kouyaté. 

Less is more 

Just like in N’goni ba, his dear father’s band, Mamadou is responsible for the bass. The music of African supergroup Trio Da Kali is deeply rooted in the griot tradition from Mali, Sénégal and Gambia, but all three like to show their cosmopolitanism. For example, Mamadou is not averse to funky touches, while Fodé can weave really subtle jazz harmonies through his splashing solos. Moreover, you’ll be amazed by the musical complexity that they achieve with just two instruments.

Line-up

Hawa Kassé Mady Diabaté - Vocals, percussion

Fodé Lassana Diabaté - Balafon

Mamadou Kouyaté - Bas n’goni