Habib Koité

In 2018, between a few tour periods with his band, Habib will be touring Europe with Bassekou Kouyate and Amy Sacko. Both the shared pleasure of playing together and the enthusiasm of the public pushed these two leaders to continue the adventure in the US in spring 2019. But ... it was not counting on the problems of visas more and more palpable even for musicians on the roads for many years. And, Bassekou & Amy did not get their visas in time. Habib has therefore proposed these dates in US duet with his percussionist Mama Kone, for an intimate formula that has attracted much interest from the public. The Koite - Kouyate project - however, was presented in Canada for a few dates, recorded entirely in Bamako at the Maya studio, with the complicity of some guests such as Toumani Diabaté, Amy Sacko, Sekou Bembeya Kouyate guitar maestro, M'Bouillé Koite (2017 RFi Award) and CT Koite, son of Habib who has written and performed a piece of the album.

After presenting this album in Europe and in the USA, Habib is happy to be back with Vusi Mahalasela for a new US Acoustic Africa tour in the spring of 2016.

At the end of 2016, and the year 2017, Habib and his band continue to delight audiences in Europe (including a beautiful UK tour).

"Soô", released in 2014, was realized and recorded in Bamako with a new group of young musicians, composed of two brothers, Issa (guitar, banjo) and Mama Koné (percussion), Charly Coulibaly (keyboard) surrounded by Abdoul Wahab Berthé (bass, kamala n'goni) of the original group Bamada.

In 2012, Habib recorded in Bamako "Brothers in Bamako"; in collaboration with the US bluesman Eric Bibb, met in 1997, for the promotion of the Putumyao compilation "From Mali to Memphis". Since this time, they kept the idea to play again together … The duo has been joined by Malian percussionist Mama Kone for more than 120 dates in Europe and the USA since the release of the album.

During the Fall 2011 & 2013, Habib participated to the Dutch project "5 Great Guitars" created by Jan Kuiper, with 2 periods of tour with more than 30 concerts each. In 2013, they were touring with 2 great Brasilian voices for a project called African Samba.

In 2010, a new version of the project Acoustic Africa was presented in Europe, USA & Africa, with Afel Bocoum (Mali) & Oliver Mtukudzi (Zimbabwe). A live CD & DVD were recorded during those tours

For 2008, new adventures for Habib and the Bamada; a mandinguo opera created in collaboration Mondomiw and with 2.500 enfants in the South of France who learned some songs written by Habib and presented in nice venues like the Palace of the Festival in Cannes. After the big success, they made it again the year after in 2009.

In 2007 the band was on the road to present their new album "Afriki", a great combination of the Malian rhythmes, a meeting between tradition and more contemporary waves, with nice & intimate melodies. Recorded between Bamako, Brussels and Vermont (USA), this album is like a bridge between those 3 continents as well.

Habib Koite & Bamada's transfixing performances have endeared them to an ever-growing audience, and in 2003 they released Fôly!, a double CD of live material.

Habib's artistry and powerful personality earned him some fans such as Jackson Browne and Bonnie Raitt, both of whom ended up visiting Habib in Mali. They have both done a great deal to support Habib's music, by promoting private events designed to attract new audiences and even performing live with Habib on stage. Habib and his band even made a guest appearance on Bonnie Raitt's 2002 album Silver Lining, in which Bonnie and Habib performed a duet on the co-written song “Back Around.”

The critical and commercial response to Ma Ya was tremendous. In 2001, Habib Koité and Bamada became one the few African artists to appear on Late Night with David Letterman one of America's most popular television variety shows,

Habib Koite & Bamada released their third album, Baro, in 2001. The recording was also a huge success, selling more than 100,000 copies worldwide and further expanding Habib's global audience.

In the spring 2000, he toured Europe as an invited guest with the legendary avant-garde jazz group, the Art Ensemble of Chicago. In the fall of 2000, Habib participated in the “Voices of Mali” tour with Oumou Sangare. In 2006 & 2007, Habib has also taken part in the Desert Blues project with fellow Malians Tartit and Afel Boucoum and Acoustic Africa tour with South African troubadour Vusi Mahlasela and the rising young star Dobet Gnahoré from the Ivory Coast.

Habib's second album, Ma Ya, was released in Europe in 1998 to widespread acclaim. It spent an amazing three months at the top spot on the World Charts Europe. A subtle production which revealed a more acoustic, introspective side of Habib's music, Ma Ya was released in North America by Putumayo World Music in early 1999 and with sales over 100 000 units, worldwide, this success quickly helped establish Habib as one of world music's most exciting new figures.

Foro Bana, a song that appeared in Koité's 1998 album Ma Ya, has been praised for its innovative guitar picking and melodious tunes.

Two tracks from Koite's 1995 album Muso ko, "I ka barra" and "Din din wo", were used in the Windows Vista sample music pack in 2007.

In 1994, Habib met his current manager, Belgian Michel De Bock, director of the management and production company Contre-Jour. Working together, they recorded his first album Muso Ko. Upon its release the album quickly reached #2 in the European World Music Charts. From that point forward, Habib became a fixture on the European festival circuit and began to spread his infectious music and high energy shows around the world. Habib has played at most of Europe's major venues and festivals.

During his studies, Habib had the opportunity to perform and play with a series of recognized Malian artists, including Kélétigui Diabaté and Toumani Diabaté. He sang and played on Toumani Diabaté's 1991 release Shake the World (Sony), and Kélétigui Diabaté became later now a fulltime member of Habib's band.

In 1988, Habib formed his own group, Bamada (a nickname for residents of Bamako that roughly translates "in the mouth of the crocodile"), with young Malian musicians who had been friends since childhood. In 1991, Habib won first prize at the Voxpole Festival in Perpignan, France, which earned him enough money to finance the production of two songs. One of those tracks, "Cigarette A Bana (The Cigarette is Finished)" was a hit throughout West Africa. After the release of another successful single entitled, "Nanalé (The Swallow),” Habib received the prestigious Radio France International (RFI) Discoveries prize. This award made it possible for the group to undertake their first tour outside of Africa during the summer of 1994.

Habib was headed for a career as an engineer, but on the insistence of his uncle, who recognized Habib's musical talent, he enrolled at the National Institute of Arts (INA) in Bamako, Mali. In 1978, after only six months, he was made conductor of INA Star, the school's prestigious band. He studied music for four years, graduating at the top of his class in 1982. (In fact his talent was so impressive, that upon graduation, the INA hired him as a guitar teacher).

Habib Koité (Bambara: ߤߊߓߌߓ ߞߎߥߊߕߍ, romanized: Habib Kuwatɛ, born 1958 in Thiès, Senegal) is a Malian musician, singer, songwriter and griot based in Mali. His band, Bamada, was a supergroup of West African musicians, which included Kélétigui Diabaté on balafon.