Habib Koité and Bassekou Kouyate exemplify responsibility and shared experience associated with the historical, cultural, and unifying properties of Malian music. One of Africa’s most recognized musicians, Habib Koité is a modern troubadour with extraordinary appeal because Koité‘s musicianship, wit and wisdom translate across cultures. Hailing from the musically prolific West African nation of Mali, the guitarist and composer has been named the biggest pop star of the region by Rolling Stone. In a collaboration that differs from any in today’s industry, Koité will be performing with fellow Malian Bassekou Kouyate, a master of the olden lute known as the Ngoni. The effortlessly talented, Grammy-nominated “Ngoni virtuoso Bassekou Kouyate can make notes bend like light rays in the desert heat (Time Out magazine).” Kouyate’s knowledge and comfortability in a vast array of musical settings actively complements his counterpart’s presence. Recently, Bassekou’s involvement with the critically acclaimed film ‘Mali Blues’ and his exceptional recording have earned him a recognition throughout the world. Over the past decade, Koité’s artistry and magnetic personality have made him an international star, delighting audiences the world over, and placing him firmly among the leading figures in contemporary world music. This collaboration brings innovation and a sense of togetherness to the upcoming season.
Nov 4th 2017 Get Info / Tickets
Seattle, WA USA
Meany Hall/University of Washington
Habib Koité & Bamada
Nov 16th 2017 Get Info / Tickets
Germantown, TN USA
Germantown Performing Arts Center
Habib Koité & Bamada
HI-RES IMAGES
^ Photo Credit: Dirk Leunis
VIDEO
Drapeau: (Embed/Download)
BIOGRAPHY/PROGRAM NOTES
Biography (2016): Download (doc)
Soô Press Release (2014): Download (doc)
Official Website: www.habibkoite.com
Label: www.harmoniamundi.com
CURRENT RELEASE
Soô (February 4, 2014)
Please contact IMN’s Director of Marketing with any additional questions.
Habib Koite featured in music documentary "The Last Song before the War"
From National Public Radio By Anastasia Tsioulcas Latitudes: The Film ‘The Last Song Before The War’ One of the best recently released music documentaries — The Last Song Before The War — wasn’t originally supposed to be about music. American filmmaker Kiley Kraskouskas was living in Germany in the fall of 2010. “I’d previously been doing graduate work in sociology...
Posted Mar 10th, 2015
NPR Can't Stop Playing Habib Koite's "L.A."
From National Public Radio Heavy Rotation: 10 Songs Public Radio Can’t Stop Playing By: Emmanuel Nado For his latest album, Soo, Malian singer-songwriter and guitarist Habib Koite let go of his standard rhythm guitar and replaced it with the banjo, one of the few times I’ve heard a contemporary African pop artist use what’s essentially an African instrument. “L.A.” is...
Posted May 28th, 2014
Soô
Home is Where the Heart is for Habib Koité: New Album Soô Spotlights Mali’s Diversity Guest Appearances by Toumani Diabate and Bassekou Kouyate—and Habib’s First Banjo With all the turmoil that has hit Mali since singing guitar master Habib Koité’s last recording, it is no wonder that his February 25, 2014 release, titled Soô (which translates to Home in English),...
Posted Feb 25th, 2014
Malian guitarist Habib Koité shares message of home
From JC Online Malian guitarist Habib Koité shares message of home through Friends of Bob performance By: Lauren Sedam Home. It is what guitarist Habib Koite’s newest album, “Soô,” means in English, and it is the place where he recorded the effort. But beyond that, home and his homeland — Mali — are the inspiration woven into every chord and...
Posted Feb 21st, 2014
Malian Guitarist Habib Koite Writes About Home
From The Province Mali-based guitarist Habib Koite writes about home Guitarist Habib Koite is a 56 year-old Senegalese musician based in Mali who has lead the West African supergroup Bamada for the past two decades. His music takes traditional styles of the region and fuses them into contemporary, often, Western tunecraft to make some of the most original music coming...
Posted Feb 5th, 2014
Habib Koité Balances the Traditional and the new
From straight.com Habib Koité Balances the Traditional and the new By: Tony Montague Musical ambassador is a term that’s loosely used, but with Mali’s Habib Koité it’s entirely apt. Not only has the guitarist and singer received the highest award available to an artist in his homeland—Chevalier du Mérit National—he’s toured extensively throughout Europe and North America for more than...
Posted Feb 5th, 2014
WCBE Presents Habib Koite - Live In Studio
From wcbe.org WCBE Presents Habib Koite Live From Studio A Wed. Feb. 12, 2013 @ 2PM! By: Maggie Brannan Malian musician Habib Koite will be performing a few songs during the Global Village ahead of his show that night at The Lincoln Theatre! You’ll get a little preview of the show and of his new album that will be out...
Posted Feb 4th, 2014
Habib Koite Returns to Tour USA
From Broadway World Habib Koite to Return to the US for Three-Month Tour; Album SOO Set for 2/25 Release With all the turmoil that has hit Mali since singing guitar master Habib Koité‘s last recording, it is no wonder that his February 25, 2014 release, titled Soô (which translates to Home in English), was recorded in his own home. But...
Posted Jan 3rd, 2014
Habib Koite on PRI's The World
Here’s a link to Marco Werman’s interview with Habib Koite for the nationally syndicated radio program The World, which aired on Friday the 9th. Habib Koite and Bamada just wrapped up another successful run through North America last week. The band returns stateside in late July for another round of dates. See Habib’s IMN page for more info and a...
Posted May 15th, 2008
Habib Koité on NPR
Habib Koite Releases First Album in Six Years News & Notes , April 29, 2008 Click here to listen After a six-year absence from the recording studio, musician Habib Koité and his band, Bamada, are back with a new CD, titled Afriki. Farai Chideya talks with Koité about his style of blending the musical traditions of his Malian homeland with...
Posted Apr 29th, 2008
Habib Koite's Afriki Released Today
After a six-year absence from the recording studio, Malian guitarist Habib Koit and his band Bamada return this fall with a stunning new album, Afriki. With more than 250,000 albums sold around the globe, an appearance on the popular television show Late Night with David Letterman, a duet with Bonnie Raitt on her 2002 album Silver Lining and nearly a...
Posted Sep 25th, 2007
Habib Koité Joins Afropop Hall of Fame
History made at “Putumayo Presents Acoustic Africa,” in New York City Sean Barlow, Afropop Worldwide On Tuesday, November 14, 2006, the Afropop Hall of Fame inducted three outstanding artists to its ranks—Habib Koité, Vusi Mahlasela, and Dobet Gnahoré. Past inductees include Youssou N’Dour, Baaba Maal, the Mahotella Queens, and Thomas Mapfumo. The Afropop Hall of Fame honors artists for their...
Posted Nov 14th, 2006
Habib Koité on NPR's All Things Considered
‘Foly!’ from Mali’s Habib Koite All Things Considered, February 12, 2004 Click here to listen to the interview Malian guitarist Habib Koite issues a new live album, Foly!. The double-disc release is an attempt to capture the flavor of Koite’s live performances, which bring out the many influences in his blend of Afro-pop, from jazz to classical and rock. Music...
Posted Feb 12th, 2004
2017 Rider: Download (pdf)
His reputation as a guitar player has become almost mythical, combining rock and classical techniques with Malian tunings that make the guitar sound like a kora or ngoni
The New York Times
The biggest pop star of the West African nation of Mali
Rolling Stone
In his case, the unfamiliarity of the language was no problem, largely because of his communicative manner – kneeling down at the stage edge to interact with the crowd – dancing in unison with his musicians – made such a clear – nonverbal connection with his listeners
The Los Angeles Times
Koite’s voracious musical curiosity, broad international fan base, impressive CD sales, and fruitful collaboration with the likes of Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, Eric Bibb and Gary Davis, have made him a prominent global voice
Roots