NEC – Watch Balla Kouyaté's Democracy

New England Conservatory kicked off the concert season with a live performance featuring an all-star faculty ensemble from the Contemporary Musical Arts department, with music from Persian, Appalachian, Middle Eastern, African and Jewish traditions as well as jazz, avant garde, new works and more. In this performance we hear the group perform Balla Kouyaté’s “Democracy” as the finale of their annual Opening Night concert at NEC’s Jordan Hall on September 5.

Born in Mali and raised in the Djeli tradition, Balla Kouyaté’s knowledge of his traditional repertoire is unparalleled. He is featured on some 50 albums including Silkroad’s Sing Me Home, Yo-Yo Ma’s Songs of Joy and Peace, Angelique Kidjo’s Oyo and Vusi Mahlasela’s Say Africa.  

Performers include: 
Warren Senders, voice
Mal Barsamian, clarinet
Eden MacAdam-Somer, violin
Liz Knowles, fiddle
Nima Janmohammadi, livta
Hui Went, gushing
Balla Kouyaté, balafon
Hankus Netsky, piano
Mehmet Ali Sanlikol, piano
Jerry Leake, percussion
Cristi Catt, voice
Daniela Tosic, voice (guest artist)
Rachel Jayson, viola (guest artist)