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Bassekou Kouyaté is a world-renowned Malian master of the ngoni, an ancient West African lute. Born into a prestigious family of hereditary traditional musicians in Garana, Mali, Kouyaté began mastering the instrument at a young age before relocating to Bamako in the late 1980s.
He completely revolutionized the ngoni by adding strings, playing standing up, and introducing amplifiers and distortion pedals, creating a radical electric sound. Alongside his band, Ngoni ba a unique quartet of various-sized lutes, he released acclaimed albums like "Segu Blue" (2007) and the Grammy-nominated "I Speak Fula" (2009).
A figure in global roots music, Kouyaté has collaborated with legends such as Ali Farka Touré on his final studio release "Savane", as well as Carlos Santana and Taj Mahal.
He continues to perform worldwide alongside his wife, lead vocalist Amy Sacko, following their duo record "Djudjon, L'Oiseau de Garana", effortlessly bridging centuries-old African traditions with contemporary rock and blues.
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Record Label associated with Bassekou Kouyate - past and current.