LIFEM Present; Ami Koita And Mosi Conde - 30.10.14
London International Festival of Exploratory Music (LIFEM) present Crossing Cultures which runs from 29th October to 1st November 2014.
Ami Koita is the most famous female mandinka singer of Mali.
Koita was born into a Jali family in which music was an accepted form of expression; her ancestral connections reach back to two griot families, Koita (her father's side) and Kamissoko (by her mother). In 1969, Koita joined the National Instrumental Ensemble of Mali and toured extensively. On her albums (16 so far since 1976) she combines traditional instruments with modern ones, like synthesizers.
Mosi Conde is a Djeli Deni – young griot – from Guinea Conakry's leading family: Sekouba 'Diamond Fingers' Diabate & Mory Kante – with whom he recently performed at the RFH alongside Baaba Maal at Africa Utopia – are his uncles, Sona Diabate the founder of Les Amazones de Guineé is his aunt and his family are the inspiration for friends like Salif Keita, Alpha Blondy and Kemo Kouyate. Mosi Conde creates music that excites and delights, his virtuoso skill evident throughout. 'We griots are born in music, every family plays together. Music is our life'. Mosi Conde's celebration of his griot heritage shines through.
One of the finest musicians on the scene, the range of instruments Conde plays is astounding. He is well known for his creative and sparkling Kora and lightening force intuitive Djembe. To this solid foundation he adds Bolon Bata – a goatskin covered calabash which in expert hands more than equals major double bass players, Donso Ngoni (round bass), Kamelon Ngoni (the griot's bass), Balafon (as vibrant as any vibes or xylophone), Guitar, Gongoma (large calabash thumb piano) and many traditional percussion instruments. A living contemporary archive!
Ami Koita voice
Oumar Diabate guitar
Lansana Sissoko kora
Cedric Yenk African drum
Mariam Kouyate chorus
Papa Gedeon Diarra dancer
