Hakili Koura: A New Mentality - Yahael Camara Onono

Schedule

Thu Jan 16 2025 at 07:00 pm to 10:00 pm

UTC+04:00

Location

East Plaza, The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi | Abu Dhabi, AZ

Advertisement
A night of song, dance, discovery, discussion, and history, rooted in the folklore of the Mandé peoples of West Africa
Innovative band leader of Balimaya Project, Yahael Camara Onono, presents a bespoke sextet in an explosive and intimate performance, accompanied by Sonzi - Guitar, Jali Bakary Konteh - Kora, Jonathan Moko - Bass, Aboubacar Konaté - Dounoun, and Aida Diop - Dance.
Hakili Koura: A New Mentality is built on the need to push the boundaries of Mandé folklore and the virtuosic nature of its musicians. It aims to share the music in an interactive way, through nuances in language and cultural codes that haven't been articulated before. It shares and informs, but will toe the line of respect, guarding the secrets and rites of the incredible traditions held by the Mandé peoples.
Biographies
Yahael Camara Onono
Yahael is the celebrated band leader of Balimaya Project, an award winning band based in London who are fast building themselves a well known name for their unique approach to music and composition, including a performance at The Arts Center in 2023. He has also made himself known as a component of the London jazz scene and beyond. Born in Harlesden, North West London of Nigerian and Senegalese heritage, Yahael grew up surrounded by traditional and contemporary forms of West African and African diasporic music first playing the djembe at the age of 8, it’s been his medium to explore music identity and the articulation and evolution of both ever since.
Writing, composing, and recording for the likes of Yussef Dayes, Amaarae, and Davido among others, Yahael’s unique and virtuosic playing earned him a spot as the prestigious Barbican and Guildhall School of Music’s artist in residence for the year. He is, historically, the first contemporary artist to hold the position. Balimaya Project has also gone from strength to strength, collaborating with brands and other well established musicians, and recording/releasing 2 studio albums in 3 years. Both made album of the year charts in prestigious lists such as that of The Guardian, and the first album made the groups of the Songlines Magazine Newcomer of the Year award.

Godwin Sonzi
Born in London to Congolese parents, Sonzi has made a name for himself as a guitarist and producer on the London, UK, and global music scene. He has produced and contributed to tracks for artists like Balimaya Project, Yussef Dayes, Omah Lay, Wizkid, Amaarae, Stormzy, Yame, and many more. His virtuosic playing and ever-open ear are very much sought after.
Jali Bakary Konteh
Jali Bakary is the grandson and son, respectively, of the legendary Gambian kora players
Alhaji Bai Konte (who helped to bring kora music to the wider world with his iconic album
Kora Melodies From the Republic of the Gambia, West Africa in 1973) and Dembo Konte.
As Banning Eyre has put it, “it is difficult to overstate the regal, nearly divine, stature” of the Konte family in the echelons of West African music. Born into this remarkable musical lineage and steeped in Gambia’s griot tradition, Jali Bakary is the latest torchbearer for his family’s kora legacy on the world stage. He has performed extensively throughout North and West Africa, as well as in the UK and the rest of Europe (WOMAD, Roskilde Festival).
Although the kora tradition has changed a lot over the last half century, it has never stayed still. Like his father and grandfather before him, Jali Bakary brings his own personal touch and innovations to traditional songs with unique melodic and rhythmic arrangements. A hugely versatile musician, he regularly performs solo, as well as with his own band, Minyanta, and Balimaya Project - a new 16 piece collective who fuse West-African folkloric music and jazz. Jali Bakary released his debut album Konteh Kunda in 2010 and currently lives in London.
Aida Diop
Aida, born within a Lebou traditional family (the fishing community of Senegal), started dancing
Sabar at a very young age. Together with other artists, they formed the group ‘Jappo’, meaning
'together', in Ouakam (Senegal). From this group, Aida was scouted by Landing Mane, one of the nation’s leaders of Senegalese dance and music, who became her mentor and teacher in 1997. She added djembe dancing to her repertoire and went on to join Ballets Africain de Sanghoma, leading to a tour with Daara-j in Senegal and abroad. In 2009 Aida joined Bakalama de Thionkessyl and received the opportunity to teach Sabar and Djembe dances at the American school at the U.S Embassy in Senegal. In 2010 Aida moved to the UK to work alongside
Landing Mane and participated in various workshops and festivals such as WOMAD and Drum camp with Ballet Nimba, whom she toured the UK with. Since then, she initiated AIDANCE, a community dance project that has offered weekly traditional dance classes with live drumming in central London for over a decade, as well as an annual festival gathering West African traditional artists with workshops and performances. Her passion for West African cultural traditions, singing, storytelling, and community-related projects led her to perform traditional dances around the UK, sharing her ancestral wisdom with professional dancers, children, senior citizens, young people, and refugees. Aida is currently working in various schools throughout the UK and holds regular weekly classes in London.
Aboubacar Konate
Born in Burkina Faso to a griot family in the heart of Ouagadougou, Aboubacar has always been a virtuoso musician. He plays the Kamalen N'goni, bass guitar, Balafon, Tama, and many other instruments, but his main instrument is the Dounoun ensemble. A master dounoun player, Aboubacar has played and traveled the world with his craft, performing, composing, and teaching. Based now in the UK, Aboubacar is a core member of fast rising MAndejazz outfit Balimaya Project and runs his own group called Angata!
Jonathan Moko
Born in Belgium to Congolese parents but raised in the Caribbean, it's no wonder Jonathan’s much sought after bass work is as unique as his upbringing. Jonathan is a huge part of the infamous London jazz from Oscar Jerome to Kokoroko to Balimaya Project to Mansur Brown; his expertise has him in high demand!
Advertisement

Where is it happening?

East Plaza, The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi, GCFM+VJH - Al Saadiyat Island - Saadiyat Marina District - Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

Platinum Events

Host or Publisher Platinum Events

It's more fun with friends. Share with friends

Discover More Events in Abu Dhabi

JUNG JAEIL + 21ST CENTURY ORCHESTRA: MUSIC FROM PARASITE & SQUID GAME
Thu Jan 16 2025 at 07:30 pm JUNG JAEIL + 21ST CENTURY ORCHESTRA: MUSIC FROM PARASITE & SQUID GAME

Etihad Arena

MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Frozen Live In Concert at Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi
Fri Jan 17 2025 at 03:00 pm Frozen Live In Concert at Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi

Etihad Arena

CONCERTS MUSIC
Maysoon Zayid - Stand Up Comedy
Fri Jan 17 2025 at 07:00 pm Maysoon Zayid - Stand Up Comedy

The Red Theater, The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi

COMEDY ART
ABU DHABI MSK MRI WRIST, HAND & ELBOW ONSITE MINI FELLOWSHIP 18-19 JAN 2025
Sat Jan 18 2025 at 07:30 am ABU DHABI MSK MRI WRIST, HAND & ELBOW ONSITE MINI FELLOWSHIP 18-19 JAN 2025

Abu Dhabi

WORKSHOPS BUSINESS
The Lion King In Concert at Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi
Sat Jan 18 2025 at 01:00 pm The Lion King In Concert at Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi

Etihad Arena

CONCERTS MUSIC
Ludovico Einaudi 2025 Live in Abu Dhabi
Sun Jan 19 2025 at 06:00 pm Ludovico Einaudi 2025 Live in Abu Dhabi

Etihad Arena

MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Candlelight Christmas: Love Actually, Home Alone & More
Thu Sep 12 2024 Candlelight Christmas: Love Actually, Home Alone & More

NYU Blue Hall

CANDLELIGHT-CONCERTS CHRISTMAS
Friday Favorites Brunch
Fri Nov 08 2024 at 03:00 pm Friday Favorites Brunch

McCafferty's Yas Island

MUSIC BRUNCH
Battle of The Bands @ NYU Abu Dhabi
Sat Nov 09 2024 at 06:30 am Battle of The Bands @ NYU Abu Dhabi

New York University Abu Dhabi

MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
AFRO FIESTA BOAT CRUISE PARTY IN ABU DHABI
Sat Nov 09 2024 at 05:00 pm AFRO FIESTA BOAT CRUISE PARTY IN ABU DHABI

Yacht Gourmet Restaurant & cafe

PARTIES MUSIC
Diwali celebrations with music & events #ThamizharVizha2024
Sat Nov 09 2024 at 05:00 pm Diwali celebrations with music & events #ThamizharVizha2024

India Social & Cultural Centre/ISC, Abu Dhabi

ENTERTAINMENT MUSIC
Taste of Abu Dhabi 2023
Sun Nov 10 2024 at 03:00 pm Taste of Abu Dhabi 2023

Gateway Park South, Yas Island.

WORKSHOPS FOOD-DRINKS
ACIDIC VOKOZ LIVE IN UAE
Sun Nov 10 2024 at 05:00 pm ACIDIC VOKOZ LIVE IN UAE

Artistic Hair Salon, Dusit Thani Hotel, Abu Dhabi

MUSIC LIVE-MUSIC
Hamad Altaee Live in Concert At Cultural Foundation, Abu Dhabi
Mon Nov 11 2024 at 06:30 pm Hamad Altaee Live in Concert At Cultural Foundation, Abu Dhabi

Cultural Foundation

CONCERTS MUSIC
In The Fall | Working Title - Trisha Brown Dance Company
Fri Nov 15 2024 at 07:00 pm In The Fall | Working Title - Trisha Brown Dance Company

The Red Theater, The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi

ART ENTERTAINMENT
Christmas Tree Lighting
Thu Nov 21 2024 at 05:30 pm Christmas Tree Lighting

McCafferty's Yas Island

CHRISTMAS MUSIC
Hekayah | The Story - UAE National Day Celebration
Thu Nov 28 2024 at 07:00 pm Hekayah | The Story - UAE National Day Celebration

The Black Box, The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi

ART LITERARY-ART
Hekayah | The Story
Thu Nov 28 2024 at 07:30 pm Hekayah | The Story

New York University Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

ART LITERARY-ART
FORMULA 1- YACHT CHARTER 2024
Thu Dec 05 2024 at 12:00 am FORMULA 1- YACHT CHARTER 2024

Yas Marina Circuit

SPORTS CONCERTS
Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix 2024
Thu Dec 05 2024 at 09:00 am Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix 2024

Yas Marina Circuit

ENTERTAINMENT CONCERTS

What's Happening Next in Abu Dhabi?

Discover Abu Dhabi Events