Mama Kone is a professional drummer and percussionist who radiates magnetic energy through his fabulous rhythmical style. His roots stem from Mali, West Africa, born in the region of Mopti.
Griots/Jali’s are West Africa’s musical storytellers, they were also historians, transporting vital information, by way of music. Their music culture passed from generation to generation, from father to son, and Mama arose from a griot family.
The balafon is a West African instrument that dates back to the Malian Empire. Mama’s father supported him in learning the balafon, and together, they collaborated on their musical gifts and performed at various ceremonies.
Later, Mama’s musical skills strengthened more, when his hands aligned with traditional drums such as the djembe, doum and bara. He also learnt the ngoni, Mali’s cultural stringed instrument.
In 1999, young Mama joined “Danaya,” a popular theatre group, based in his home town. After completing his DEF/Diploma in fundamental studies in 2002, he enrolled at Bamako’s “National Institute of Arts.” In early 2005, Mama’s creative abilities landed him a position with the “golem” theatre group, owned by Ivorian director Momo Ekissi. As a collective, they travelled to Europe and performed in Switzerland. After graduating from the Arts Institute in 2008, Mama, joined a company by the name of Mawassadie Arts, and the assembly went and displayed their talent in Paris, France.
With extensive musical artistry, it led Mama to create a percussion band in 2010. One day, when the group were rehearsing, Mama was spotted by a family member of the acclaimed Malian artist, Habib Koité. Recognising Mama’s distinctive rhythmical style, he connected him with Habib, and from there, gained the opportunity to join him in some rehearsals. After seeing Mama work well with his band, Habib offered him the chance to join his band Bamada. Taking the role of drummer & percussionist, his first musical venture with the band was in Italy.
In 2012, Habib ventured on a new project with African American artist, Eric Bibb, and Mama gained the percussionist role. Together the trio recorded an album, “Brothers in Bamako,” which followed with a tour in the United States, and Europe.
His unique rhythmical talent, and professionalism, earned him a permanent position within Habib’s band “Bamada,” of which he is still a part, to this day.
Over ten years, Mama has performed with Habib Koité & Bamada in various countries on four continents and has contributed to three of Habib’s albums.
Coming from his own words, Mama states (“Habib is a special artist, who has taught me valuable music knowledge over the years, to which I am truly grateful.”)
Mama Kone delivers his flow of percussion instruments in a powerfully pulsating format. He is an exuberant Malian music storyteller.
Havana White ©
MALI is a West African country surrounded by seven countries, Guinea, Senegal, Niger, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Mauritania, and Algeria. A country with an amazing history, the Malian Empire, was once the richest country on the African continent.
Music transpired through the Oral storytellers, the Jeli’s/griots, who emitted important information and stories by way of songs and instruments such as the “Ngoni, Balafon, Doum, and Bara. “Music came from many tribes such as the Mandinka, Mende, Bambara, and Soninke, as well as Tuareg and Fulani. Around the 1960s Cuban music was extremely popular in the country, and was a big influence on musicians such as “The Rail band.” Salif Keita was once a member of the band.
The country has a long succession of authentic artists, such as “Fanta Sacko,” “Kassé Mady Diabaté, Ali Farke Toure, Toumani Diabaté, Habib Koite, Oumou Sangaré, Fatoumata Diawara and Sidiki Diabaté, the son of Toumani. These are just a few names to mention, the country is immersed with amazing musical talent, a rich spirituality glides through the music.
Havana White ©