| Kismet
of the Kora |
|
To
hear Mady Kouyate play is to enhance the soul, tweak the psyche,
and allow yourself to feel as if you’re being whisked away
to some magical place where the ugliness of the world dissipates,
a place where you actually feel as if there might be hope for mankind.
“I’ve
known the kora since I was in my mother’s belly,” says
Kouyate. The Kouyate family are Djelys, or griots, a long line of historians, musicians and praise singers of their people, the Manding society. The griots committed to memory the entire history of their village—births, deaths, marriages, wars, and hunts—not only to ensure their culture not be forgotten, but to apply the knowledge in solving present day problems. Much of their oral history and lessons are kept alive through song; Kouyate and his brothers, also musicians, are the 150th generation in his family. In search of a deeper understanding of Manding, Kouyate moved to Mali to study under Toumani Diabate, one of the most gifted kora players of our day. Some may remember Toumani wowing audiences at The Ark back in the 1990’s. Dubbed the Prince of the Kora (if you’re wondering why he’s merely the Prince, it’s because his father, Sidiki, owns the title of King), Toumani Diabate took Mady into his home for an intensive six-year apprenticeship. While studying under Toumani Diabate, Mady also attended L’Institute Nationale Des Arts. “For six years it was kora, kora, and more kora,” he says. “It’s all I know.” After
completing his studies in Mali, Mady toured several African countries
playing in Toumani’s symphony band. His first international
gig kicked off here in the US, where he toured several states with
the Ballet Afrique Noire. He now lives in Ypsilanti. On his CD Kelemagni, the West African musician plays a song called “Bundu,” which is meant to encourage and inspire listeners. All I know is, I dusted off a book on defeating procrastination after the first time I heard it. OK, I didn’t get any further than that, but still, this is powerful schtuff. With
a force like Mady Kouyate bringing inspiration through music, I
might even get that book on procrastination read yet. A2P
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