Alhaji Bai Konte

Born 1920 in Brikama, Gambia, died 1982 or 1983. Bai Konte was a jali, or praise singer, and master kora musician. Father of Dembo Konte and Sherrifo Konteh, who continue to live in Brikama. He popularized the Casamance kora style (better known in Senegal than Gambia), which includes extensive improvisations with powerful strumming, and a more polyrhythmic and percussive technique. Also unique to his performances was rhythmic tapping (konkon) on the back of a kora by a second performer, and frequent use of a group of backing vocalists to accompany his own singing and storytelling. Bai Konte generally tuned his kora to a higher pitch than was standard at the time, giving a brighter sound to the instrument; another technique that has since gained popularity.