West African musical virtuoso N’famady Kouyate is coming to Mossley

N’famady Kouyaté is coming to The Vale in Mossley

Attendees should be prepared for an unforgettable evening at The Vale on Friday, November 22, as N’famady Kouyaté, a master-musician from West Africa, brings his extraordinary talents to Mossley.

N’famady’s unique ability to blend the traditional sounds of his heritage with modern styles has earned him a glowing reputation in the world music scene, resulting in high profile bookings such as Green Man Festival. 

N’famady is famed for using the balafon as his primary instrument, which is a traditional wooden xylophone central to griot culture in West Africa.

Griots are the storytellers, musicians and keepers of oral history in Mandingue society, and the balafon is seen as a connection to centuries of tradition.

Imagine the warm, rhythmic tones of the instrument, with wooden keys and gourd resonators, filling the room, blending seamlessly to produce a fusion of Mandingue African sounds with western jazz, pop, indie and funk.

In Guinea he founded ‘Les Héritiers du Mandingue’ a tradi-modern group that toured extensively across West Africa.

N’famady has lived in Cardiff since 2019 and he has continued to build a bridge between his Mandingue roots and Western music, releasing his first EP Aros I Fi Yna ('Wait For Me There' in Welsh) through Welsh label, Libertino Records in July 2021, which included guest appearances from Gruff Rhys (Super Furry Animals), Lisa Jên Brown from 9Bach, and Kliph Scurlock, formerly of The Flaming Lips. 

The album features mash-ups of traditional Guinean songs with new Welsh lyrics, modern and traditional instrumentation, played by a ten-piece band. 

Support at The Vale comes from John Haycock, an accomplished kora player who has trained with Gambian griot and kora master Jali Nyonkoling Kuyateh for over 10 years.

John’s musical inquisitiveness has led him to embrace the fusion of electronic and woodwind elements in his compositions and live performances to create captivating and emotive soundscapes.

N’famady Kouyaté, supported by John Haycock, is at The Vale, Mossley, OL5 9JL on Friday, November 22, 2024 (7.30-11pm).

Tickets are £15 or donate what you can.

You can buy tickets online or call the box office on 01457 238 089.

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