Kadialy kouyate & Sound Archive,

Bio:

Kadialy Kouyate performs original music inspired by the West African griot repertoire. Born into the great line of Kouyate griots in Southern Senegal, Kadialy’s mesmerising kora playing and singing style have been welcomed in many prestigious venues as both a soloist and in different ensembles: Royal Festival Hall, O2 Arena, Union Chapel and WOMAD amongst others.

Kadialy first made a name for himself in the UK with both his solo performances and his success with steel pan player Fimber Bravo. Their acclaimed album ‘Small Talk’ resulted in numerous radio appearances (Radio 3’s ‘World Routes’ and Charlie Gillett’s ‘World of Music’) and a 2005 UK tour: “Fimber Bravo and young Senegalese kora player Kadialy Kouyate found a common thread and proceeded to weave it into a tapestry of multi-hued beauty” (Songlines).

Extensive European tours also followed with the renowned Baye Fall gnawa musician Nuru Kane and an exciting new project for 2011 with Baaba Maal.

In November 2008, Kadialy represented the kora for the first time at the "2do Festival Mundial Del Arpa" in Paraguay. He is featured on the West One Music album Champions of Africa – specially commissioned for the 2010 World Cup. Kadialy’s critically acclaimed debut album Londo - selected for the fRoots November 2010 compilation CD – blends the kora with cello, double bass and percussion.

Kadialy’s new ensemble, which combines musicians from Cheikh Lo’s band (Badou N’Diaye) and Bhundu Boys (Kudaushe Matimba), is an exciting new project for 2011, with an upcoming album, Teriya, due to be released soon. A successful Friday Tonic show at the Southbank Centre, gigs with the London-based Paw Paw Jam sessions and upcoming performances at the Rhythms of the World Festival 2011, prove that this a band to watch!

"Senegalese kora virtuoso/singer Kadialy Kouyate showcases his fleet-fingered skills on this mesmerising instrument, complementing it with his hauntingly, darkly beautiful voice, to create a Toumani Diabate-meets-Youssou N'Dour sound." – Time Out.