16 Facts About Bai Konte

Alhaji Bai Konte was a jali from Brikama, Gambia.

Bai Konte's grandfather, Jali Ndaba Konteh, was a Konting player who originally brought his family to Brikama from the Kankaba region of Mali.

Bai Konte's father, Burama Konte, was a celebrated kora player and composed several important pieces in the repertoire.

Bai Konte was a regular on Radio Gambia and Radio Senegal's joint program called Chossani Senegambia in the 1970s.

Bai Konte was fluent and literate in Koranic Arabic, spending part of most days studying Koran, praying with visitors seeking his advice and guidance and copying portions of the Koran for amulets and other matters.

Bai Konte sent a son, Alieu, to live with and study Koran from his own Maribout, Sherrifo Hydra of the central mosque in Nouakchott, Mauritania.

Susan and Marc Pevar produced an annotated 35mm slide and audio show Making The Kora, with writings and a teachers guide, documenting Bai Konte making Marc Pevar's kora.

Bai Konte was the first Gambian griot to introduce the kora and Mandinka musical culture to the world audience.

In 1973, Bai Konte introduced the kora to audiences in North America.

Bai Konte performed at some of the largest festivals in North America, appeared multiple times on National Public Radio and Television, was interviewed and reviewed by many newspapers.

About a year before Bai Konte toured North America in 1973, a close friend of Bai Konte, Jali Nyama Suso, was invited to the USA for a residency at Oberlin College Conservatory by Dr Rodrick Knight, who created a kora ensemble and produced valuable books, recordings, articles and videos, and who elevated the visibility of the kora in international academic circles, as did Dr Erik Charry.

King recommended living with Bai Konte's extended family where Susan could study child rearing and Marc could learn the kora.

King's guidance was invaluable, based on his experienced report that Bai Konte knew more kora songs, arrangements and playing techniques than any other kora musician he met, and was a both honest and a gentleman of high character.

Bai Konte's success awoke record companies, promoters, agents and other kora musicians to the potential for a world market for kora music.

Just as George Wein had helped open the gates by inviting Bai Konte to perform at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1973, Quint Davis did the same and invited the grandsons to perform at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in 2020 appearing as stars, headlining on the Blues Tent stage.

Note: It is requested that any other commercial releases of Alhaji Bai Konte's music be added to this discography.