Musician Habib Koité Draws Inspiration From His Bountiful Malian Roots

By John Roos

A cultural awakening flows through the melodies and rhythms that gently propel the acoustic, enchanting African-based music of singer-songwriter-guitarist Habib Koité.

Koité is a man firmly rooted in his time-honored traditions. Coming from a family of griots and music-makers that include a mother who sings, a banjo and accordion-playing father, and guitar playing brothers, Koité learned to play classical guitar while in high school before attending the National Institute of Arts in Bamako, where he spent four years after his graduation in 1982 to teach guitar. It wasn't until he was 30 that Koité decided to form a band, Bamada, and they toured extensively throughout Mali.

While Koité, now 64, was born into the Khassonké jeli tradition - the Khassonké (CAH-KES-SON-QUE) are an ethnic group of Mali's Kayes Region - his mission over the years has been to make music derived from the different ethnic musics of the region, which have enormous diversity in the sonic landscape as each regional music has quite distinct colors, languages and social protocols. And ultimately, his goal was to weave in his western rock, folk and jazz influences to create something truly unique.

I got hooked on Koité’s rippling currents and enchanting melodies when I first heard his 2001 release, Baro. That 13-track collection pulled me into an unfamiliar yet welcoming community where wisdom, magic, morality, sacrifice and devotion all have a place in our human race. Koité sings primarily in the major languages of Mali, including Bambara, Songhai, Peil, Bobo, and his own Khassonké; therefore, a song derived from a specific music culture will use the language and musical structures of that culture or ethnic group.

Another notable release was 2012’s Brothers in Bamako, a collaboration with American bluesman Eric Bibb. Koité and Bibb initially met 25 years ago, when both were invited to play on the album Mali to Memphis (Putumayo). The duo struck a chord, exchanged a few notes, which lead to a few songs. A connection was established, and a friendship ensued as both men recognized that the blues has its roots in Africa. The musical dialogue and partnership continued on to the Brothers in Bamako project.

Koité’s latest release, 2019’s Kharifa, features a wide range of talented musicians plus a young female choir soars on several songs. Among the guest players are guitarist Sekou Bembeya, kora player Toumani Diabate, and a brass group of trumpeters named Benin. Other exotic instruments adding to the lush sonic tapestry include the ngoni, flute and doun doun. (For a taste of Koité and Bamada live, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VkdcKkDkJM)

Koité beautifully sings about his life, his environment . . . not only the African world he inhabits, but how it connects to and is impacted by the rest of the world. His songs are universal songs of inclusion, respect and accountability, of peace and longing for a better, more just world where humanity can triumph over hate and greed.

Yes, there is still a place in our hearts for idealism. Maybe even transcendence.

*Habib Koité and Bamada perform Saturday at Freight & Salvage, 2020 Addison Street, Berkeley. (510) 644-2020; 8 p.m. $30-$34. www.thefreight.org. Sold-out but there may be some standing-room only tickets available the day of the show.