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Updated 3/7/2024

BALLA KOUYATE

  • Massachusetts

    MA

Institution/Business Type: Performing Group

Available to perform a full concert as a soloist or with the Balla Kouyate Band. As a soloist, Balla plays multiple instruments, including the balafon and the calabash, and uses a looper to create a full band sound. High-energy, melodic and percussive World Music/Afro-Pop Performance with traditional, African instruments and singing. Acoustic Trio and Duos upon request. Lecture/Demonstrations and Residencies. Role of the Djeli (Griot) in Mandé Music - the Sosso bala (Kouyaté family instrument and legacy - 800 year-old UNESCO-protected cultural artifact) - traditional instruments and their history - Pentatonic vs. Diatonic music - audience participation (instruments, song and dance). Please call to discuss other options for lectures.

Find Me

Balla Kouyate
Job Title: Musician (balafon, electric bass, guitar, drums), Arranger, Lecturer
Phone: 631-220-9552
Address:
Medford, MA 02155

Social Media:

About

Overview

Institution/Business Type:

Performing Group

Legal Status:

Commercial / For profit - Corporation

Year Founded:

1990

Overview

Institution/Business Type:

Performing Group

Legal Status:

Commercial / For profit - Corporation

Year Founded:

1990

Disciplines

Primary Discipline:

Music - Ethnic / World

Additional Disciplines:

  • Music - Traditional

Activities and Services

Activities and Services:

  • Performance / Concert / Reading
  • Residency - Community
  • Residency - In School
  • Wedding / Parties / Private Gatherings
  • Workshops / Demonstrations / Master Class
Seasons Active: spring, summer, fall, winter
Events Per Year: 200

Communities

Populations Engaged:

  • Adults
  • Businesses
  • Elders
  • Families
  • General Public
  • Immigrant Populations
  • Incarcerated (or Formerly Incarcerated) individuals
  • LGBTQ Populations
  • Native American Tribes
  • Nonprofits
  • People with Disabilities
  • School Groups
  • Teens
  • Veteran/Active Duty Military Personnel
  • Youth-At-Risk

Languages Available:

  • French
  • English

Geographic Reach:

  • International

Media Gallery

An audience member tries out the balafon.
Balla giving a master class at the Silk Road Global Musicians Workshop
Balla recording for Angelique Kidjo's "Oyo"
In concert at First Works in Providence
Courtesy of Rockport Music
Courtesy of Silkroad Global Musicians Workshop, Videography: J R Alexander,  Photography: OJ Slaughter, Audio Recording/Mixing provided by New England Conservatory
Courtesy of Silkroad Global Musicians Workshop, Director of Photography/Audio Mixing: Matthew Malikowski, Editor/Cinematography: Aaron Saidizand, Editor/Cinematography: Alex Hug, Recording Engineer: Jonathan Smith, Recording Engineer: Jacob Steingart

I Have Worked With

Affiliations and Accomplishments

Professional Associations

Professional Associations:

  • Silkroad Ensemble
  • New England Conservatory of Music, Faculty

Professional Associations

Professional Associations:

  • Silkroad Ensemble
  • New England Conservatory of Music, Faculty

Awards

Awards:

  • St. Botolph Club Foundation Distinguished Artist Award 2023 | World Contemporary Music
  • 2019 NEA National Heritage Fellow
  • 2015 Brother Thomas Fellowship awarded by the Boston Foundation
  • 2014 Mass Cultural Council Traditional Arts Apprenticeship
  • 2010 Mass Cultural Council Fellowship in the Traditional Arts

Special Designations

Special Designations:

  • NEFA Grant Recipient

Artist Info

Teaching Artist

Teaching Settings:

  • Afterschool Program
  • Arts and Cultural Center / Venue
  • Community Site / Center
  • Corporate Business
  • Healthcare Facility
  • Private Studio
  • School / University

Ages Served:

  • Pre-Kindergarten-age
  • Elementary School-age
  • Middle School-age
  • High School-age
  • College-age
  • Adults
  • Seniors

Subject Areas:

  • Arts Integration - Communications
  • Arts Integration - History and Social Science
  • Dance
  • Music

Fee range:

$500 - $5,000

Teaching Artist

Teaching Settings:

  • Afterschool Program
  • Arts and Cultural Center / Venue
  • Community Site / Center
  • Corporate Business
  • Healthcare Facility
  • Private Studio
  • School / University

Ages Served:

  • Pre-Kindergarten-age
  • Elementary School-age
  • Middle School-age
  • High School-age
  • College-age
  • Adults
  • Seniors

Subject Areas:

  • Arts Integration - Communications
  • Arts Integration - History and Social Science
  • Dance
  • Music

Fee range:

$500 - $5,000

Touring Artist

NEST Eligible Artist

Technical Requirements:

  • 3 microphones for solo performance

Fee Range:

$500 - $10,000

State of Residence:

Massachusetts

Minimum Number of Performers:

1

Maximum Number of Performers:

6