Bassekou Kouyate, from a long line of griots (storytellers/historians), is Mali’s legendary master of the ngoni, an ancient West African lute that is an ancestor of the banjo. Renowned for his innovations, he takes the ngoni into the 21st century. In his long career, he has collaborated with such musical icons as Toumani Diabate, Ali Farka Toure, Taj Mahal, Paul McCartney, and Bela Fleck, and toured the world with his powerful Ngoni Ba ensemble. Amy Sacko, Bassekou’s wife, performs lead vocals and has been called the “Tina Turner of Mali.” The concert will continue the celebration of Bassekou’s last album, Miri (2019), which was one of the Best Albums of the Year in Songlines magazine.

Co-presented by Robert Browning Associates