Dembo Konte and Kausu Kuyateh
This article needs additional citations for verification. (June 2016) |
Dembo Konte and Kausu Kuyateh | |
---|---|
Origin | Weekend Beatnik, Xenophile |
Dembo Konte (or Konté) (died January 2014)[1] and Kausu Kuyateh (died 16 June 2018)[2] were master kora players from West Africa. They were also singers and, above all, jalis; storytellers and guardians of oral tradition, preserving the history of people and events via their music. Stories and history are passed down from generation to generation by this method within families and groups of friends, ensuring survival of such stories for centuries.[3] The jali sings the praises of his friends and benefactors, warns the politicians of their errors and admonishes the listeners to live right.[4] Their music encapsulates the Mandinka culture.
Konte and Kuyateh have taken the kora to a new level, having modified their instruments to expand the kora's range by adding extra bass strings to the classic 21 -string harp-like instrument. Roots World described the interplay of the two musicians as "fascinating, as they twist and turn around the melody, fighting against each other and then suddenly forming a unison that shimmers up and down a scale before parting ways again." Their repertoire includes Mamma Manneh, a rolling dance tune from the Wolof tradition and Saliya, one of the oldest songs written for the kora.
Since 1987, they have toured worldwide and their albums have been acclaimed as the most accessible from this tradition. In 1998 journalist and
Usually performing as a
On the album Jaliology the duo is joined by Mawdo Suso playing balafon, a traditional rosewood instrument resembling a xylophone.
Konte lives in
Similarly, Kuyateh comes from a family of jali musicians and the tradition continues as a younger generation of the Konte and Kuyateh families take the music and stories to a wider audience through international performances and CDs.
Discography
Dembo Konte and Kausu Kuyateh
Kairaba Jabi compilation (CD)
Tracks:
- Kairaba Jabi
- Simbomba
- Ngaleng Sonko
- Saliya
- Mamma Maneh
- Mammadu Sanyang
- Demba Hajada
- Banta Toure
- Yeyengo
- Tiramakhan
- Fayinkunko
- Sunkariba
- Solo
Simbomba (12" vinyl album)
UK:
Tracks:
- Simbomba
- Ngaleng Sonko
- Saliya
- Mamma Manneh
- Mammadu Sanyang
- Demba Hejada
- Banta Toure
Jali Roll (CD)
Weekend Beatnik WEBE 9038 (1990)
Tracks:
- Alla L'aa Ke
- President Diawara
- Lambango
- Sana Diop
- Madiba Jabi
- Amadou Faal
- Sarah 1
- Sarah 2
- Ami N'Diaye
- Mariama Diallo
- British
Jaliology with Mawdo Suso (CD)
Xenophile Records (1995)
Tracks:
- Serifu Sidi Haidara
- Yussufa Nyabali
- Alhaji Sidia Diabi Tasilimang
- Dudu Touray
- Tunko Darbo
- Alisewo
- Adama Ning Nahawa
- Ke Koto Mani
- Lambango
Jali Roll (Revisited +1) (CD)
Weekend Beatnik WEBE 9038 (2001)
Tracks: as "Jali Roll", with addition of:
- Sana Diop (Live Bonus Track)
Dembo Konté and Malamini Jobarteh
Baa Toto (CD)
Wallbank Warwick Communications Ltd WWCD005 (1984)
Tracks:
- Jato
- Alla l'Aa Keh
- Baatoto
- Cheddo
- Kumbasora
- Ten Kulu Kumba Wecho
- Amadu Faal
- Fodé Kaba
References
- ^ "Mudcat.org: Obit: Dembo Konteh R.I.P. 2014". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved January 15, 2014.
- ^ "Ian Anderson". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2018-06-17.
- ^ "Dembo Konte & Kausu Kuyateh — Free listening, videos, concerts, stats and photos". Last.fm. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
- ^ "African Archive #6". Rootsworld.com. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
- ^ "fRoots Shop - The Weekend Beatnik". Frootsmag.com. Archived from the original on 10 July 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
- ^ "Alhaji Bai Konte Biography - ARTISTdirect Music". Artistdirect.com. Retrieved 6 June 2016.