Balla Kouyate

Balla Kouyate is an extraordinary balafon player from the Djeli or “griot” tradition in Mali. The Kouyates were the first Djelis in the Mande Empire. The balafon (ancestor of the xylophone) was given to Balla's ancestors by nobles in the 12th century and has remained in his family ever since. His father, El Hadj Sekou Kouyate, is the guardian of the very first balafon, the Sosso Bala, dating back more than 800 years.
Balla seemed destined to play this instrument, learning from his father from the age of six years. He performed for the first time in Bamako, Mali at "Palais de la Culture" with Malian singer Sanignai Kouyate. In 1994, he was a member of the Ensemble Instrumentale du Mali. By 1997 he was granted the opportunity to play with singer Ami Koita at the O.I.A. conference, which brought together 27 African presidents.
Balla is very excited about his latest project. He has put together his own band, World Vision. Look for them in Chicago and other upcoming venues!Balla has also been engaged by many African artists to tour in the United States, including Sekouba Bambino Diabate and his sister, Kanibaoulen Kouyate. He has worked extensively with kora master Mamadou Diabate playing venues such as Lincoln Center Outdoor Festival, Symphony Space and festivals around the country. They both have played as part of Rowell Rudd's MALIcool ensemble. In 2004, Balla played with Sidiki Conde at Carnegie Hall for a month-long residency for children. Just recently in September and October 2006, the two were artists-in-residence in Minneapolis for the VSA. He joined Ursel Schlicht's Ex Tempore in 2004. While playing with Ex Tempore, he felt the need to expand the tonal possibilities of the balafon and created a chromatic instrument, to his knowledge the first chromatic balafon ever.
Balla's superior musicianship has been featured on at least 45 albums. He is excited to be finally releasing his first CD in September. Stay tuned for more details! Check out the Collaborations page on his website to see more of his current and past projects.