Hello all!
A quick note to say that Jali was in London yesterday meeting with a load of people who will be performing in Brighton with him on the 21st August. This particular performance will be just the Kora King and his kora. We are also looking at some prospective dates for Jali's band Nematolye to try out their new tracks.
Brighton promises to be an important event in the UK world music calendar. Watch this blog for more information on this event in the next few days.
Take care
Thursday, 29 April 2010
Wednesday, 28 April 2010
What is a Jali?
Hi All,
Just thought I'd write a quick note to explain what a Jali is. Most of you will look at this blog and assume that Jali is just the name of the talented musician that it revolves around. Well that is true in so much as Burama Mbye goes by the name of Jali. I guess it's like a nick name only it has a lot more significance. In the strictest sense a Jali is a Griot. And a Jali is something akin to a musical Jedi in West African culture. You don't just become a Jali, the title is bestowed upon you at a point where your musical excellence is recognised by your hereditary peirs.
So to end any potential confusion Jali is a Jali. That is to say that Burama Mbye is a Jali who goes by the name of Jali. So if you see him out in Leeds and want to buy him a drink then "hey Jali" will do just fine!
Wiki definition
A griot is a West African poet, praise singer, and wandering musician, considered a repository of oral tradition. As such, they are sometimes also called bards. Although they are popularly known as 'praise singers', griots may also use their vocal expertise for gossip, satire, or political comment.
Griots today live in many parts of West Africa, including Mali, the Gambia, Guinea, Western Sahara and Senegal, and are present among the Mande peoples (Mandinka, Malinké, Bambara, etc.), Fulɓe (Fula), Hausa, Songhai, Tukulóor, Wolof, Serer, Mossi, Dagomba, Mauritanian Arabs and many other smaller groups.
In African languages, griots are referred to by a number of names: jeli in northern Mande areas, jali in southern Mande areas, guewel in Wolof, gawlo in Pulaar (Fula), and igiiw (or igawen) in Hassaniyya Arabic. Griots form an endogamous caste, meaning that most of them only marry fellow griots and that those who are not griots do not normally perform the same functions that they perform.
All the best!!
Tuesday, 27 April 2010
Workshops
Hello there,
Just a quick note to mention that Jali will be rolling out kora workshops in Leeds later on in the summer. At the moment he is concentrating on private tuition (currently available for £45 per hour) but would like to extend the learning out into groups of like minded individuals.
Workshops are an excellent way to meet people with similar interests and share ideas. They are also a great way of getting a feel for the music and learning some classic kora melodies. See site for more information and price details - koraking.com and go to workshops.
As well as kora workshops based in Leeds Jali is also tours UK schools teaching not only West African instruments including Djembe's and kora's but also informing about West African culture.
If you are interested in finding out more then please don't hesitate to get in touch jali@koraking.com.
All the best!
Just a quick note to mention that Jali will be rolling out kora workshops in Leeds later on in the summer. At the moment he is concentrating on private tuition (currently available for £45 per hour) but would like to extend the learning out into groups of like minded individuals.
Workshops are an excellent way to meet people with similar interests and share ideas. They are also a great way of getting a feel for the music and learning some classic kora melodies. See site for more information and price details - koraking.com and go to workshops.
As well as kora workshops based in Leeds Jali is also tours UK schools teaching not only West African instruments including Djembe's and kora's but also informing about West African culture.
If you are interested in finding out more then please don't hesitate to get in touch jali@koraking.com.
All the best!
Publish Post
Friday, 23 April 2010
Hand crafted koras
Hello all,
For those of you interested in purchasing a kora please have a look at these fine examples that have been hand crafted by Jali himself.
These beautiful instruments take many weeks to complete and are built using materials imported from
These are traditional 21 string koras with electronic pick up for easy amplification (excluding extra-small versions). Guitar heads are added for easy tuning. If you are interested in the design element you can choose from different decorations or specify tailor-made decoration.
Jali is always looking to improve design and build, indeed he is currently experimenting with tatoo artists to add an extra element of design work to these authentic instruments.
Whilst Jali is based in Leeds in the UK he does export his instruments world wide. Prices range from £200 for small up to around £400 for large. To see more information about the other instruments Jali produces and more on the kora then please visit koraking.com
These beautiful instruments take many weeks to complete and are built using materials imported from
These are traditional 21 string koras with electronic pick up for easy amplification (excluding extra-small versions). Guitar heads are added for easy tuning. If you are interested in the design element you can choose from different decorations or specify tailor-made decoration.
Jali is always looking to improve design and build, indeed he is currently experimenting with tatoo artists to add an extra element of design work to these authentic instruments.
Whilst Jali is based in Leeds in the UK he does export his instruments world wide. Prices range from £200 for small up to around £400 for large. To see more information about the other instruments Jali produces and more on the kora then please visit koraking.com
Speak soon!
Thursday, 22 April 2010
Nematolye - the band
Hello there,
I thought I'd spend a little bit of time introducing you to Jali's band, Nematolye. This Leeds based group consists of four other very talented musicians, Luke (drums), Mike (lead guitar), Andrew (bass guitar) and Demba (keyboard).
In the last few months these guys have been practicing and refining some fantastic tunes in anticipation of their recording session in mid May. They have spent countless hours at Jali's home and in Lukes basement forging a unique and compelling sound. Those hours have definately paid off and the result is original and enthralling.
How would you describe their sound? Well I'll leave that to Luke who penned a few words about the band for the website.
"Nematolye, which means “peace and harmony” in the Mandinka language spoken in Gambia, is the brainchild of master kora player Jali Burama Mbye. This Leeds based band plays both traditional and original compositions, with each member contributing different textures and flavours to a unique melting pot. Driving rhythms and a deep groove underpin infectious melodies and solos in the African tradition. At the forefront is the exquisitely delicate sound of the kora, an instrument traditionally played by master musicians to an audience of kings. Jali’s haunting kora spins an elaborate web around the group’s compelling rhythms."
Well put Luke! It's hard to describe what they have here but it is something that is mesmerising and infectious. As always the best way to appreciate their stuff is to simply listen and the opportunity to do just that will soon be here...
Follow this blog for updates on Nematolye's first album and forthcoming gigs and events.
See you soon :)
I thought I'd spend a little bit of time introducing you to Jali's band, Nematolye. This Leeds based group consists of four other very talented musicians, Luke (drums), Mike (lead guitar), Andrew (bass guitar) and Demba (keyboard).
In the last few months these guys have been practicing and refining some fantastic tunes in anticipation of their recording session in mid May. They have spent countless hours at Jali's home and in Lukes basement forging a unique and compelling sound. Those hours have definately paid off and the result is original and enthralling.
How would you describe their sound? Well I'll leave that to Luke who penned a few words about the band for the website.
"Nematolye, which means “peace and harmony” in the Mandinka language spoken in Gambia, is the brainchild of master kora player Jali Burama Mbye. This Leeds based band plays both traditional and original compositions, with each member contributing different textures and flavours to a unique melting pot. Driving rhythms and a deep groove underpin infectious melodies and solos in the African tradition. At the forefront is the exquisitely delicate sound of the kora, an instrument traditionally played by master musicians to an audience of kings. Jali’s haunting kora spins an elaborate web around the group’s compelling rhythms."
Well put Luke! It's hard to describe what they have here but it is something that is mesmerising and infectious. As always the best way to appreciate their stuff is to simply listen and the opportunity to do just that will soon be here...
Follow this blog for updates on Nematolye's first album and forthcoming gigs and events.
See you soon :)
Wednesday, 21 April 2010
Jali records first album
Hello all and welcome to Jali Mbye's blog.
A couple of weeks ago Jali recorded his first album and EP at Ghost town recording studio in Leeds. If you haven't already be sure to check out the website on recordings and you can hear the full work. What you will find is eight beautiful kora instrumentals on the album and 4 mesmerising vocal performances on the EP.
Ross, the auditory wizard responsible for Ghost Town was blown away when Jali sat down and recorded the first album in one take. It's understandable that some may consider this highly unusual, improbable even, but maybe not when you consider that Jali comes from a long line of hereditary griots and has made the kora the centre of his life since he started learning the instrument at the age of 7. Indeed since picking up this instrument Jali's passion and purposeful development of his skills have seen him travel all around the world playing festivals and private bookings.
If you go to koraking.com and look in the galleries you can also see some pictures that I took to document this posthumous moment.
Thanks for dropping by to check out this new blog - please feel free to follow us for more news and events around subjects such as...
Nematolye recording session
Djembe workshops
Kora workshops
Gambian adventures
Exchange programmes
and loads more besides.
See you soon
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