Mamadou Kelly and Ban Kai Na

From Goundam and Niafunke in the region of Timbuktu, the heart of the blues delta of Mali, guitar genius and singer/songwriter, Mamadou Kelly has been a fixture in arguably two of the most famous groups in Malian musical history, Ali Farka Toure and his group and Afel Bocoums band, Alkibar.  Mamadou Kelly accompanied these two greats on many of their world tours and albums along with two other members of his own new group, Ban Kai Na.  The glue that holds the music together, Mamadou Kelly is a virtuoso.  With an encyclopedic knowledge of Malis music, Mamadou Kelly and Ban Kai Na bring new sophistication to the sounds from Niafunke.

In May and June 2013 Mamadou Kelly recorded tracks that became his debut album Adibar released internationally in September 2013.  He toured North America in July and September 2013 playing at Lincoln Center New York and Festival Nuits dAfrique Montreal and Chicagos World Music Festival where he received accolades.  His band members are old friends: Alpha Hama Sankare, genius on calabash; master of the djourkel, Brehima Youro Cisse; as well as the young, gifted bassist Baba Traore.  Mamadou Kelly and Ban Kai Na represent a captivating combination of contemporary West African sounds.  With his smooth vocals and deceptively effortless guitar playing, Mamadou Kelly quickly charms his audiences.

His smile belies a determined professional.  His lyric style is direct with a rich historical background supporting his compositions.  His band members are masters of their craft. Without skipping a beat, Mamadou Kelly with Ban Kai Na bring a gracious hospitality to their music and the concert stage.  A second album is in the mixing stages.  Mamadou Kelly recordings are released on the Clermont Music label.  

Mamadou Kelly - lead guitar and vocal

Alpha "Hama" Sankare - calabash

Brehima "Yoro" Cisse - djourkel

Baba Traore - bass