Biography
Jali Bakary Konteh traces his roots to a storied lineage of Gambian griot kora players and entered the world in Brikama, Gambia. His grandfather, Alhaji Bai Konte, issued the album Kora Melodies from the Republic of the Gambia, West Africa on Rounder Records in 1973, an effort that first brought the kora to Western listeners. His father, Dembo Konte, expanded the traditional 21-string kora by adding extra strings, while maintaining an active schedule of international recordings and tours. Given this heritage, Konteh’s decision to take up the instrument seemed almost inevitable. He nevertheless charted his own course by weaving slide guitars, trap kit drums, reggae rhythms, and contemporary studio methods into longstanding kora repertoire, thereby updating the sound for present-day ears. Akwaaba Music issued his debut album, Konteh Kunda, in 2010, where it earned widespread critical praise.
Albums