Renowned Malian musicians Bassekou Kouyate and Amy Sacko announce Manchester gig - here's when

The legendary Malian musician and Ngoni master, Bassekou Kouyate will perform alongside Griot singer Amy Sacko for the first time in the UK, with a stop in Manchester.

Kouyate is known for his extraordinary dexterity an innovative approach to the traditional ngoni (a West African lute), with his performances blending the rich sounds of blues and jazz, and traditional Malian music.

His illustrious career spans four decades and five acclaimed albums, and Kouyate and his band, Ngoni Ba, have garnered critical and commercial success while touring globally, collaborating with musical legends including Taj Mahal, Ali Farka Toure, Toumani Diabate, Youssou N'Dour, The Kronos Quartet, and Damon Albarn.

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The UK tour marks a special milestone as Bassekou performs as a duo with his wife, the revered griot singer and exceptional vocalist, Amy Sacko.

Sacko has been described by The Sydney Morning Herald as possessing a "voice of searing urgency" and "improbable range". The griot couple released their first chart-topping album together in 2024; Djudjon, L’Oiseau de Garana connects past and present, and is centred on their adventurous life journey together.

The Garana natives invite us on an intimate journey into their musical universe, to travel to the source where it all began for Bassekou and his other long-time companion, his ngoni.

Bassekou Kouyate reveals the secrets behind the beautiful love story between himself and his instrument, whilst Amy and Bassekou sing to us about their fears and hopes for the future, give philosophical advice and offer tributes to important people of present and historical society of the Bambara Empire.

The couple will be performing at Manchester’s Band On The Wall on May 13. To book tickets, click here.