IMN : Updates for Habib Koité

Saying Goodbye to Kélétigui Diabaté: Legendary Musician and Koité Collaborator

IMN

December 3rd, 2012

Kélétigui Diabaté, Legend of Malian Music, Has Passed Away (1931-2012)

Kélétigui Diabaté, one of the greatest figures in Malian contemporary music, passed away in Bamako on the morning of November 30, 2012. He was 81 years old, but his death was sudden and he had been performing as recently as last month.

From 1998 to 2009, Diabaté was a member of Malian guitarist Habib Koité’s band Bamada, and his virtuoso skills on balafón, a type of African xylophone, violin and other instruments never failed to amaze the audience and his soft-spoken charm and endearing grace earned him friends and fans around the globe.

Yet, Diabaté had already been one of Mali’s most revered and accomplished musicians long before he joined Habib Koité’s band. Born in 1931 into one of Mali’s most illustrious musical families, Diabaté not only mastered the playing and construction of balafón, he was also famed as a guitarist and even was known to play saxophone on occasion. In the late 1950s, Diabaté was recruited to establish the Orchestré de la Garde Républicaine (Première Formation), which went on to tour West Africa to great acclaim.

Diabaté was also a founding member of L’Orchestre National “A” de la Republique de Mali (the “A” merely indicating that they were the first band in a series), a band that was conscripted by the government of Mali’s first president, Modibo Keita, on the first day of Mali’s independence from France. The orchestra, led by Diabaté on guitar, was formed as part of cultural policies designed to promote the appreciation of Malian art, and consisted of “musicians sworn to serve their country by contributing with all their genius to the protection and revalorization of Malian musical art”. Their only album l’Orchestre National ‘A’ de la Republique de Mali was released around 1970 by the German label Bärenreiter-Musicaphon and is coveted by collectors.

Habib Koite on PRI's The World

IMN

May 15th, 2008

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 complete list of dates.

Habib Koité on NPR

IMN

April 29th, 2008

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 contemporary influences.

Habib Koite's Afriki Released Today

IMN

September 25th, 2007

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 thousand concerts on some of the world’s most prestigious stages under his belt, Habib Koit is one of Africa’s most beloved and popular musicians. Afriki, which will be released by Cumbancha on September 25th, 2007, features an appealing set of songs that reflect Habib’s unique and innovative approach to the diverse styles of Malian music.

View more infohere

Habib Koité Joins Afropop Hall of Fame

IMN

November 14th, 2006

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 artistic excellence, and also their significant role in connecting Americans to Africa .

The 2006 Afropop Hall of Fame took place before a rapturous, sold-out crowd at the B.B. King Blues Club in New York as part of the hugely successful “Putumayo Presents: Acoustic Africa” nation-wide tour. We all felt lucky to be there as this constellation of stars may never appear on the same stage again. And unlike a typical three-set presentation, Habib, Vusi and Dobet all performed on each other’s songs, and interchanged musicians in constantly shifting lineups that added new textures and vocal power to familiar songs, and broke new ground as well. Vusi, who often performs solo, sounded supercharged with a full backing band of mixed musicians from Habib’s and Dobet’s bands. The Vusi Mahlesela and Dobet Gnahoré share the stage show, which ran nearly three hours, concluded spectacularly with the three principals harmonizing together Vusi’s signature “When You Come Back,” Habib’s first hit “Cigerette Abana,” and the SA classic “Pata Pata.” It was a thrilling and rowdy wrap up to one of the most varied nights of music we have ever seen.

Continue reading the full article here

Habib Koité on NPR's All Things Considered

IMN

February 12th, 2004

‘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 critic Banning Eyre has a review.