Trio Da Kali
Mali's griot tradition in trio — voice, balafon, ngoni
Biography
Trio Da Kali brings together three heirs of Mali's great griot families: Hawa Kasse Mady Diabaté (voice), Lassana Diabaté (balafon) and Mamadou “Madou” Kouyaté (bass ngoni). Formed in 2013 within the Aga Khan Music Initiative, with musicologist Lucy Durán, the trio strips Manding tradition down to its essence. Their album “Bagola”, released on One World Records on 28 February 2025, reached number one on both the World Music Charts Europe and the Transglobal World Music Chart.
The One World link
Trio Da Kali is a One World Records act: the label released their album “Bagola” (2025). Their singer, Hawa Kassé Mady Diabaté, also has her own Festival TV profile.
Distinctions and benchmarks
“Bagola” (One World Records, 2025) — No. 1 World Music Charts Europe and Transglobal · Formed in 2013 (Aga Khan Music Initiative)
Performing formats
- Concert — acoustic griot trio