Jali Bakary Konteh

Jali Bakary Konteh comes from a long line of Gambian griot kora players. Born in Brikama, Gambia, his grandfather was Alhaji Bai Konte, whose Kora Melodies from the Republic of the Gambia, West Africa album pretty much introduced the kora to Western audiences when it was released by Rounder Records in 1973, and his father, Dembo Konte, added additional strings to the 21-string kora and recorded and toured regularly internationally, so it was not only natural but perhaps even ordained that the younger Konteh take up the instrument. He added his own twist to things, though, incorporating slide guitars, trap kit drums, reggae rhythms, and modern recording techniques into traditional kora tunes, refreshing things for the 21st century. His debut album, Konteh Kunda, was released in 2010 by Akwaaba Music to critical acclaim. ~ Steve Leggett, Rovi