Trio Da Kali (ML) & The Zawose Queens (TZ)

You could certainly call Trio Da Kali a supergroup, with roots deeply embedded in Mali’s musical heritage. The trio performs authentic music rich in cultural depth and timeless beauty. The band consists of singer Hawa Kassé Mady Diabaté (daughter of Kassé Mady Diabaté, one of the greatest voices in African music), balafon player Lassana Diabaté and bass ngoni player Mamadou Kouyaté (son of Bassekou Kouyaté, a master of the ngoni or West African lute). Trio Da Kali combines traditional griot music with modern influences such as jazz and funk, without losing its essence. Hawa’s voice is clear and expressive, while Lassana and Mamadou provide a rich, rhythmic and harmonious foundation. Da Kali means ‘to give a pledge’, in this case to the musical heritage of the Mande-jeli (hereditary lineages of musicians) dating back to the time of Sunjata Keita, founder of the great Malian Empire. They carry on that tradition to this day, a heritage that has been preserved and passed down since the 13th century. This year, they released their first solo album, Bagola, as the follow-up to their 2017 hit album Ladilikan in collaboration with the Kronos Quartet. The album also touches on topical issues, such as in the track Orpaillage, which deals with the impact of gold mining in Mali. Bagola is a powerful tribute to cultural connection and musical innovation – music that is rooted in tradition yet continues to resonate universally. The Zawose Queens (TZ) The Zawose Queens bring the vibrations of their ancestors to life with their ecstatic, polyphonic singing. They embody a deep connection with nature, through music that buzzes with an indomitable spirit and passion.