Biographies
Yahael Camara Onono
Yahael is the celebrated band leader of Balimaya Project, an award winning band based in London who are fast building themselves a well known name for their unique approach to music and composition, including a performance at The Arts Center in 2023. He has also made himself known as a component of the London jazz scene and beyond. Born in Harlesden, North West London of Nigerian and Senegalese heritage, Yahael grew up surrounded by traditional and contemporary forms of West African and African diasporic music first playing the djembe at the age of 8, it’s been his medium to explore music identity and the articulation and evolution of both ever since.
Writing, composing, and recording for the likes of Yussef Dayes, Amaarae, and Davido among others, Yahael’s unique and virtuosic playing earned him a spot as the prestigious Barbican and Guildhall School of Music’s artist in residence for the year. He is, historically, the first contemporary artist to hold the position. Balimaya Project has also gone from strength to strength, collaborating with brands and other well established musicians, and recording/releasing 2 studio albums in 3 years. Both made album of the year charts in prestigious lists such as that of The Guardian, and the first album made the groups of the Songlines Magazine Newcomer of the Year award.
Godwin Sonzi
Born in London to Congolese parents, Sonzi has made a name for himself as a guitarist and producer on the London, UK, and global music scene. He has produced and contributed to tracks for artists like Balimaya Project, Yussef Dayes, Omah Lay, Wizkid, Amaarae, Stormzy, Yame, and many more. His virtuosic playing and ever-open ear are very much sought after.
Jali Bakary Konteh
Jali Bakary is the grandson and son, respectively, of the legendary Gambian kora players Alhaji Bai Konte (who helped to bring kora music to the wider world with his iconic album Kora Melodies From the Republic of the Gambia, West Africa in 1973) and Dembo Konte. As Banning Eyre has put it, “it is difficult to overstate the regal, nearly divine, stature” of the Konte family in the echelons of West African music. Born into this remarkable musical lineage and steeped in Gambia’s griot tradition, Jali Bakary is the latest torchbearer for his family’s kora legacy on the world stage. He has performed extensively throughout North and West Africa, as well as in the UK and the rest of Europe (WOMAD, Roskilde Festival).
Although the kora tradition has changed a lot over the last half century, it has never stayed still. Like his father and grandfather before him, Jali Bakary brings his own personal touch and innovations to traditional songs with unique melodic and rhythmic arrangements. A hugely versatile musician, he regularly performs solo, as well as with his own band, Minyanta, and Balimaya Project - a new 16 piece collective who fuse West-African folkloric music and jazz. Jali Bakary released his debut album Konteh Kunda in 2010 and currently lives in London.
Aida Diop
Aida, born within a Lebou traditional family (the fishing community of Senegal), started dancing Sabar at a very young age. Together with other artists, they formed the group ‘Jappo’, meaning 'together', in Ouakam (Senegal). From this group, Aida was scouted by Landing Mane, one of the nation’s leaders of Senegalese dance and music, who became her mentor and teacher in 1997. She added djembe dancing to her repertoire and went on to join Ballets Africain de Sanghoma, leading to a tour with Daara-j in Senegal and abroad. In 2009 Aida joined Bakalama de Thionkessyl and received the opportunity to teach Sabar and Djembe dances at the American school at the U.S Embassy in Senegal. In 2010 Aida moved to the UK to work alongside
Landing Mane and participated in various workshops and festivals such as WOMAD and Drum camp with Ballet Nimba, whom she toured the UK with. Since then, she initiated AIDANCE, a community dance project that has offered weekly traditional dance classes with live drumming in central London for over a decade, as well as an annual festival gathering West African traditional artists with workshops and performances. Her passion for West African cultural traditions, singing, storytelling, and community-related projects led her to perform traditional dances around the UK, sharing her ancestral wisdom with professional dancers, children, senior citizens, young people, and refugees. Aida is currently working in various schools throughout the UK and holds regular weekly classes in London.
Aboubacar Konate
Born in Burkina Faso to a griot family in the heart of Ouagadougou, Aboubacar has always been a virtuoso musician. He plays the Kamalen N'goni, bass guitar, Balafon, Tama, and many other instruments, but his main instrument is the Dounoun ensemble. A master dounoun player, Aboubacar has played and traveled the world with his craft, performing, composing, and teaching. Based now in the UK, Aboubacar is a core member of fast rising MAndejazz outfit Balimaya Project and runs his own group called Angata!
Jonathan Moko
Born in Belgium to Congolese parents but raised in the Caribbean, it's no wonder Jonathan’s much sought after bass work is as unique as his upbringing. Jonathan is a huge part of the infamous London jazz from Oscar Jerome to Kokoroko to Balimaya Project to Mansur Brown; his expertise has him in high demand!
