Habib Koité, one of West Africa’s most beloved musicians, and arguably Mali’s greatest guitarist, is back in the UK after a five-year absence for a series of live shows.
Habib will use the seven-date tour to showcase his current elpee, and one of those shows is taking place at The Stables in Milton Keynes, this Sunday evening (November 27).
Habib has performed more than 1500 concerts around the world in a career spanning four decades, and enjoyed international recognition - particularly in the US where he counts Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, Eric Bibb and Jenny Lewis among his fans and collaborators.
But it’s his enduring fascination with Mali’s rich musical traditions and instrumentation, while embracing a variety of musical styles including blues, flamenco and Afro-Cuban, that is central to his continued success.
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Born into a family of musicians and griots (traditional troubadours), music, storytelling and performance are in his blood.
Habib studied and taught classical guitar, and over many years has evolved his signature finger-picking technique, which produces a sound resembling that of traditional West African instruments such as the kamale n'goni and kora.
The meaning of the title Kharifa is akin to “something that has been entrusted to us” and with this Habib refers to his homeland Mali; the album is a call to remain united and to preserve the land, the unity of the people and their rich cultural heritage in the face of political and social tensions.
Habib Koité and his band Bamada will be supported by Gambian kora masters Sura Susso and Jally Kebba Susso - each prodigious talents in their own right, from the same family of griots. Together they complete an evening of captivating West African sounds.
Tickets can be booked here
