There’s a personal story to this one….
Our agent Sarah Coxson was enjoying an African music festival in Bethesda, North Wales recently when she bumped into the kora player who’d been playing, brilliantly, with N’famady Kouyaté. Chatting about her friendship with the late Dembo Konte, a well-respected kora player from Brikama, who used to regularly tour with his partner Kausu Kuyateh in the 80s and early 90s in the UK and beyond, Jali Bakary Konteh responded, “That’s my dad!,”! Both Jali Bakary and Sarah were quite emotional about the link, and the meeting felt serendipitous, so we’re delighted that ABM will now be representing this talented musician.
Grandson and son, respectively, of the legendary Gambian kora players Alhaji Bai Konte who helped to bring kora music to the wider world in the 70s and the much-missed Dembo Konte, London-based Jali Bakary is the latest torchbearer for his family’s kora legacy on the world stage. Jali Bakary brings his own personal touch and innovations to traditional songs with unique melodic and rhythmic arrangements. A hugely versatile musician, he regularly performs solo, in a duo and trio, as well as with his own band, Minyanta. Jali Bakary will soon be releasing his 2nd solo album.
He has performed extensively throughout West and North Africa, as well as in the UK and the rest of Europe (WOMAD, Roskilde Festival, The Barbican). For solo appearances (and more) from Spring 2024 onwards – festivals and venues – please do get in touch to discuss booking options.