Cobalt presents Balimaya Project + Rapasa Nyatrapasa Otieno + DJ Jelly Jels! 

“A 16-piece supergroup of driving polyrhythms, blazing horns and virtuosic kora, Balimaya Project deliver a dynamic meeting of traditional Mandé music and contemporary jazz.”
Jazz Re:freshed [label]

We are delighted to let you know that Cobalt has been chosen as one of a few small venues for the very special Balimaya Project. On Thursday March 24th 2022 we will be squeezing 17 diverse and talented musicians on to our stage for a once in a lifetime experience.

This is a band destined for bigger & bigger stages and we are very honoured that Cobalt is on the list of smaller venues for this unique tour.

“Bandleader Yahael Camara Onono guides his group of kora players and atumpan drummers into a polyrhythmic frenzy of Mandé folk compositions, challenging the rapt audience to try and keep up with their virtuosic sense of groove.” End of the Road 2021, Ammar Kalia [The Guardian]

Balimaya Project was formed in 2019 by percussionist Yahael Camara Onono, a second generation Londoner whose rich West African musical heritage, coupled with his musical experiences in the UK, inspired him to bridge the gap between the diaspora and West Africa.

The word Balimaya is a word from the Maninka language that means the essence of kinship. In Mande society, the ideology of kinship is engrained in the moral fabric of its people. Family ties aren’t just limited to blood relations. The concept of extended family created by marriage, cousinage, shared history within ethnicities and deeds done for one another is complex, but shared and adhered to with great pride. This extended family model is what inspires Balimaya’s repertoire and mission.

This group is built on the foundation of forging musical and cultural ties, from a place of integrity, authenticity and inspiration. Balimaya uses the repertoire of the Mande peoples of Senegal and Mali as the bridge to bring the folkloric West African music, together with Jazz and the sounds of Black London, to create something different.

Read more about Balimaya Project Here

Listen to Balimaya Project Here

Support from Rapasa Nyatrapasa Otieno

Singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and contemporary dancer from Kenya, Rapasa Nyatrapasa Otieno is the founder of Nyatiti NyaDala and virtuoso of the nyatiti, a traditional eight-string lyre from the shores of Nam Lolwe (Kenya’s Lake Victoria). The music he creates is deeply rooted in traditional storytelling from the Lüo community, nilotes who also settled in Western Kenya and who are known to play the nyatiti.

Recent highlights are his participation in Britten Pears, Sage Gateshead and Making Tracks residency programs. He has been awarded Develop Your Creative Practice by the Arts Council of England to develop skills in live media interactive projection and MOBO award from Help Musicians UK to produce and release a collection of pieces he composed on the road and recorded in Nairobi (Kenya).

Be prepared for your mind to travel through his music and storytelling...

http://www.nyatitinyadala.com/