Bassidi - Balafon, Djembe, Kamalan N'goni
Bassidi - Balafon, Djembe, Kamalan N'goni
Bassidi Koné is of Bwa ethnicity and was born into a griot family in the San region of central Mali. His earliest memories are of growing up beside his father’s primary instrument, the balafon (a gourd-resonated xylophone), which instilled in him his forefathers' traditional village songs and rhythms passed down through many generations. Since these early childhood experiences, Bassidi carried on this rich musical heritage and legacy with the greatest of respect through the study of the balafon and barra (gourd drum).
Bassidi participated in unique collaborations with the Central Australian Aboriginal Women's Choir, which culminated in the finale showcase performance at the 2018 Desert Song Festival in Central Australia. In 2019, Bassidi and Queensland-based 'Afro-psych' band, Highlife, took to the stage at one of Australia’s largest music festivals, Splendor in the Grass.
Bassidi tours internationally and is passionate about sharing his traditional Griot music and culture. He enjoys collaborating with diverse ensemble groups, delving into Afro-jazz, Latin, reggae, classical, and contemporary genres. Bassidi skillfully infuses these genres with the heritage of his family's music tradition.