Taj Mahal and Bassekou Kouyate

Mali may be a country racked by conflict, but it has also managed to produce some of the world’s most life-affirming music. And Bassekou Kouyate, the virtuoso ngoni player, has long been one of the brightest stars on this vibrant scene, collaborating with other greats such as Toumani Diabaté, Youssou N’Dour and the late Ali Farka Touré. In a programming feat of mouthwatering creativity, the South Bank Centre has matched him with Henry Saint Clair Fredericks, known on stage as Taj Mahal, one of the most charismatic blues singers performing today, who is already known for incorporating rhythms and textures of African, Latin and Caribbean music into his work. As Kouyate looks west, and Taj Mahal looks back to Africa, the stage is set for a delicious piece of fusion.  

Kouyate adds some elements of blues, jazz and even a touch of rock to his ngoni, an ancient West African stringed instrument, believed to be an ancestor of the banjo. It’s especially well suited to the work of Kouyate and his band, with their blend of Malian music, blues, and rock. In total there are four ngoni players in the band (whose name means “Big Ngoni”), accompanied by a percussionist, a vocalist and sometimes a guest or two.

The result is music of astonishing vitality, packed with hypnotic riffs, scorching rhythms and bursts of musical pyrotechnics from Kouyate, a true master of his instrument. In his hands, the ngoni can evoke the gentle flow of the kora – the African lute – as well as the raucous twang of the banjo. In recent years he’s been known to wire it up to a wah-wah pedal.

Taj Mahal is now a legendary figure in American music, universally admired for the breadth of his range, the magnetism of his performances, the authentic grittiness of his voice, and his commitment to refreshing this traditional music with ideas and styles from other styles and genres. He made his reputation with two albums of charismatic vintage blues in 1968, but soon began experimenting with Caribbean sounds, reggae, and later, Indian music, on the 1995 album Mumtaz Mahal.  

The opportunity to see two giants of the blues and world music live, in London, is not to be missed. In addition to their musical prowess, both have tangible stage sparkle, and give exhilarating live displays.