Habib Koité
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Habib Koite is a Malian musician known primarily for his unique approach to playing the guitar by tuning it on a pentatonic scale and playing on open strings as one would on a kamale n'goni. Other pieces of his music sound more like the blues or flamenco which are two styles he learned under Khalilou Traore, veteran of the legendary Afro-Cuban band Maravillas du Mali. Unlike the griots, his singing style is restrained and intimate with varying cadenced rhythms and melodies. His supporting cast, Bamada, is an explosive super-group of West African talent. The name "Bamada" is a nickname for residents of Mali's capital city Bamako, and the word roughly translates as "In the mouth of the crocodile."
One of Habib's best known songs is 'Cigarette Abana' (No more cigarettes), first recorded in 1991 on the CD Muso Ko, with a new Latin-style version on his later CD Baro.
Habib is one of Mali's most successful musicians internationally. He is very popular with international musicians and has performed and recorded with the likes Eric Bibb and Bonnie Raitt. Raitt also invited Habib in to record on her latest album Silver Lining. Habib and Bamada were on stage at the African Roots and Shoots Festival at London's Barbican in 2000 and have also performed at many other international festivals. Later in 2000, Habib was part of the "Voices of Mali" tour in USA and Canada.
In 2004 and again in 2005, Habib and the Band toured across the country to enthusiatic audiences. He played a single benefit performance in Providence RI in December, 2005.
Discography
Albums
External links
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