Trio da Kali

Mali
Folk African
Trio da Kali

Trio Da Kali - tradition-inspired contemporary music from the heart of the Malian griot tradition.

Trio Da Kali is a group of outstanding musicians from the Mande culture of southern Mali, who come from a long line of distinguished griots (specialist hereditary musical artisans). In an intrepid musical adventure, a remarkable torchbearer in the griot tradition, they are creating a concert as vibrant and free as it is soulful. “Da Kali” means “to swear an oath”, and it is the griots pledge to maintain their art. In this instance, their aim is to bring to the forefront the neglected repertoires and playing styles of the griots.

Trio Da Kali take us back to the roots of this grand tradition, which, at best, is undoubtedly one of the African continents finest, most subtle, and sublime music. But they also bring a fresh, contemporary, and creative twist to their music in subtle ways, breathing new life back into this ancient music.

The Trio features the dazzling virtuoso balafon playing of the group’s director, Lassana Diabaté and Mamadou Kouyaté, provides brilliant bass lines on a large ngoni, in the tradition of his father ngoni maestro Bassekou Kouyaté. All three members of the trio belong to intensely musical families, who have passed on to them an astonishing wealth of songs. Much of this repertoire is forgotten or neglected, and yet, it represents the heart of a musical culture that has stood the test of time across many centuries. The Da Kali Ensemble shows just how timeless and captivating this extraordinary musical heritage is.

For their debut album Ladilikan released in 2017, the trio collaborated with the Kronos Quartet. The album sounds like an instance of music returning to its common roots, finding a deep resonance, without pretensions or need of translation.  At the same time it is a full expression of the identities of both ensembles.

Videos
  • L'Experiència Barcelonina de Trio Da Kali
    L'Experiència Barcelonina de Trio Da Kali
  • 08 TRIO DA KALI Lila Bambo 01
    08 TRIO DA KALI Lila Bambo 01
  • Trio Da Kali & The Black Quartet - 'Ladilikan' live at WOMAD
    Trio Da Kali & The Black Quartet - 'Ladilikan' live at WOMAD
  • Trio Da Kali - Full Performance (Live on KEXP)
    Trio Da Kali - Full Performance (Live on KEXP)
Press
Trio Da Kali and Kronos Quartet shatter boundaries of culture, genre, faith and ethnicity — all with an ease that must be heard to be believed.
NPR Music, 11.29.2017
Discography
Ladilikan
Ladilikan
2017
World Circuit Limited
Line up

Hawa Kassé Mady Diabaté - vocals

Lassana Diabaté - balafon

Mamadou Kouyaté - ngoni

Availability

Territories:

Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Northern Europe, Eastern Europe

2023 all year
2024 all year
Contact
Frank Abraham
Frank Abraham
Managing Director, Head of A&R Global Pop Music, Booking Agent
fa@f-cat.de / +49 30 26 103 29 20

Featured artists

Newsletter sign up

Sign up for our mailings and don't miss any news again!

Sign up for our Mailings and don't miss any news again!