Malian Guitarist Habib Koité & His Band Bamada to Play LPR

One of Africa's most popular and recognized musicians, Habib Koité is a modern troubadour with extraordinary appeal as his musicianship, wit, and wisdom translate across cultures. Born in Senegal, he comes from a lineage of griots and grew up in the musically prolific West African nation of Mali.

He formed his band Bamada in 1988 and the reception given to the band's first tour outside of Africa, in 1994, prompted the recording of a well-received debut album. Across a trio of albums-Muso Ko, Ma Ya and Baro-Habib has produced reflective, semi-acoustic, contemporary interpretations of multiple ethnic traditions from around his country. He has a 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 which produces endearing music that is neither heavily traditional nor emphatically Western.

The guitarist and composer was named the biggest pop star of the region by Rolling Stone magazine. Koité's most recent release, Soô (which translates to home) looks squarely at his native land, a country torn apart by violence in recent years, at a time when a real feeling of home couldn't be more vital.

Habib Koité & Bamada

Wednesday, November 8, 2017, 8:00 p.m.

(le) poisson rouge
158 Bleecker Street, Manhattan

Named the biggest pop star of Mali by Rolling Stone,
Koité is a brilliant guitarist who produces semi-acoustic
interpretations of multiple ethnic traditions from his country.

Tickets: $30 advance / $35 door

Standing room only with limited unreserved seating