Bassekou Kouyate is a virtuoso of the African lute called the ngoni. His groundbreaking technique has made him a legend at age 44 in his native Mali. These days, Kouyate fronts the group Ngoni Ba, ...

Bassekou Kouyate’s Segu Blue will likely prove 2007’s standout African album. It features his ensemble ’Ngoni ba’ and realises a long-cherished dream. From Mali, Bassekou is the greatest exponent of a ...

I speak fula is the 2nd album from an astonishing band, with a very different 'string quartet' at its core: Bassekou Kouyate's Ngoni ba. Bassekou proves his ancient, fretless West African lute is ...

There’s something special about the annual summer gathering that is Earagail Arts Festival. It is now in its 37th year, and its deliciously eclectic programme is spread across the county, and features ...

Bassekou Kouyate is a virtuoso of the ngoni (West African lute), approximating the larger kora (West African harp) in sound but with a tougher, more percussive edge. Outside his home country of Mali, ...