Music Hunter presents Highlife with Bassidi Koné Friday July 26th / 8pm for 8.30pm start
Baroque Room, Carrington Hotel Katoomba. African Rhythms, psychedelic funk and improvisational fusion. The 8-piece band Highlife is built around Hayden Hack, a talented singer/songwriter who was raised in South Africa and the UK by professional musician parents. Hayden, who settled in Australia 12 years ago, grew up around touring artists and has himself recently returned from a solo tour in his homeland of South Africa. Completing the Highlife rhythm section is Nathaniel Combs, a percussion teacher who has just returned from studying in West Africa, well known jazz drummer Max Sportelli, Brad Wenham on 6 string bass and Paddy Kiernan on electric guitar. Highlife tours regularly with virtuoso West African musician Bassidi Koné, a master of the djembe and the traditional Malian instrument the Balafon. While touring together in 2018 the band invited Bassidi to collaborate on some of their tracks. ‘Working with Bassidi in the studio was a master class in musicianship’ says guitarist Paddy Kiernan, ‘his incredible rhythmic and melodic sensibility just added a whole new depth to our songs, we were very lucky to have the opportunity to work with him.’
“With music you speak to people, you touch hearts and bring joy”.
Bassidi Koné
Bassidi Koné is of Bwa ethnicity from the San region in central Mali. Born into a Griot family, Bassidi grew up beside his father’s primary instrument, the balafon, instilling in him his forefathers’ traditional village songs and rhythms passed down through many generations. Since these early childhood experiences, Bassidi carried on this musical heritage and legacy with the greatest of respect through the study of two percussive instruments, the balafon and the barra (gourd drum).
“Traveling from his culturally rich and vibrant homeland of Mali (West Africa), following in the footsteps of great artists before him such as Salif Keita, Oumou Sangare, Toumani Diabaté and Rokia Traoré, virtuoso drummer and balafonist Bassidi Koné now brings his shining spirit and awe inspiring musical expression to Australia”. Multicultural Arts Victoria, Melbourne, Australia
Opening set:
Bassidi Koné & Nathaniel Combes-Mostly Traditional West African music.
2nd set:
Highlife with Bassidi Koné featured in a few songs.
BOOK YOUR TICKETS HERE
Pre-sale tickets: $23 concession and $28 general adult
Door: $25 concession and $30 general adult
Why not gather the whole tribe in a group bookings of 8 people: $184 = $23 each
Check out more gigs presented by Music Hunter this year.