Bai Konte

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Alhaji Bai Konte (d. 1982) was a jali (praise singer) from Brikama, Gambia. He played the 21-string kora and is believed to have been the first kora player to perform in the United States, playing at the 1973 Newport Jazz Festival.

His sons Dembo Konte and Sherrifo Konteh (sic) live in Brikama, Gambia. Two LP recordings have been released of Alhaji Bai Konte with Dembo Konte and Malamini Jobarteh. Jali Sherrifo Konteh has released two CDs, 'Mansalou' and 'Chesano', and tours the UK most years.

[edit] Discography

c. 1978 - Gambia's Music/La musique de al Gambie/Gambias Musik. Ethnic Folkways Library. Recorded and produced by Marc D. Pevar; introductory notes by Susan Gunn Pevar. [New York City]: Folkways Records FE 4521.
1979 - Konte, Alhaji Bai, with Dembo Konte and Ma Lamini Jobate. Gambian Griot Kora Duets. Recorded December 1977 in Dakar, Senegal, and Brikama, The Gambia, by Marc Pevar. New York City: Folkways. Re-released on CD by Smithsonian Folkways Records in 1999.
1989 - Konte, Alhaji Bai. Kora Melodies From the Republic of the Gambia, West Africa. Recorded in 1973 by Marc D. Pevar. Originally released in 1973, and works 1-10 were issued also in 1985 as analog disc (5001). Somerville, Massachusetts: Rounder Records.
2001 - Konteh, Sherrifo. Mansalou. Compound Sounds CS01.
2005 - Konteh, Sherrifo. Chesano. Compound Sounds CS02.