Kadialy Kouyate

Born into a Kouyaté griot lineage from southern Senegal, Kadialy Kouyate has developed a practice focused on the kora, singing and the Manding repertoire, with an approach that links West African tradition, personal composition and dialogue with other scenes. Based in the United Kingdom, Kadialy Kouyate has for several years played an active role in London's musical life as a soloist, ensemble musician, accompanist and educator, notably at SOAS University of London where he teaches the kora. His discography includes Small Talk (2005) with Trinidadian percussionist Fimber Bravo, Rhythms of the Atlantic (2015) with Venezuelan harpist Leonard Jacome, and Na Kitabo (2016). He has also taken part in collective and cross-disciplinary projects, including Rafiki Jazz and Adriano Adewale’s group, in a repertoire that blends Manding music, folk, jazz and contemporary acoustic forms. On stage he has been heard in a variety of contexts, from British venues and festivals to theatrical productions, notably Julius Caesar for the Royal Shakespeare Company in 2012. In 2015 Kadialy Kouyate also contributed to the remake of Roots as a musician, performer and cultural advisor.