Benkadi International

Since her foundation in 1989 Benkadi performs modern West-African music. The group brought the Mandingo music to the Netherlands and the rest of Western Europe. Despite the use of modern instruments, the traditional sound stays embedded in the music.Especially because of the participation of malian vocalist Idrissa Magassa and guitarist Zoumana Diarra who have the tradition in their blood. The repertoire is a mixture of ancient songs about common social issues and modern very dansable music. Line up: Idrissa Magassa, vocal and percussion Zoumana Diarra, solo guitar Richard Has, bass Bas Blanken, guitar Dramane Diarra, drums Mamour Seck, percussion