Born in Mali, West Africa in 1972, Balla Tounkara is a griot or djeli, an ethnic group dating back to ancient times whose people functioned as musicians, storytellers, singers, and peacemakers. Attracted to music at an early age, Tounkara received his first kora, a 21-string harp, from his grandfather, Batouroue Sekou Kouyate, one of the most respected kora players in the world. Tounkara is also a nephew to Djelimady Tounkara, famous for his Super Rail Band from Mali.

I discovered Tounkara's music as I was searching for some calming music for a cranky two month old--my son, Declan--and with a bit of help from calabashmusic.com, found how truly soothing the sound of Tounkara's kora could be (both for me and for Declan!).

As quoted from the liner notes of Tounkara's second CD, "the kora is an instrument designed to express deep levels of emotion, beauty, and spirituality. Its angelic sound transports the listener, creating a vision of inner peace, of respect, of life on a simpler, richer, and more introspective plane. Known as "the instrument of kings," the kora served for many centuries as the official instrument to the emperors of Mali, played for relief of worry, spiritual guidance, and relaxation; played to bring out the best in both player and listener. It is this vision of the kora that Balla brings to America and the world."

After years of listening to and be inspired by western music including Bob Marley, Diana Ross, The Police, and John Lee Hooker, Tounkara moved to the USA in 1996. He first spent time in New York City, playing his kora with musicians from Greenwich Village to Harlem. Tounkara ultimately settled in Boston, adding to the city's vibrant scene of musicians from Mali while also performing and teaching music.

Since 2000, Tounkara has self-released four albums, including "Be Right" (with his band, Groupe Spirit), "Kelefaba: The Peacemaker" (2002), "Malifoly" (with Balla Kouyate, 2002), "Yayoroba" (2004), and, most recently, has had a CD of meditation music distributed by Madisyn Taylor with "Spa Song: Kora" (2004).

One of Tounkara's primary goals is to show how the kora--an instrument that influenced the creation of instruments ranging from guitar to the harp--can play any kind of music made today. While "Be Right" incorporated elements of Afropop, rock, funk, and jazz, Tounkara's subsequent albums have paid tribute to the traditional sounds and songs of the kora. And, as a testament to this idea, Tounkara is currently working on a hip-hop album featuring the instrument.

Having performed with a wide range of musicians, including Youssou N'Dour, Baba Maal, Jimmy Cliff, Salif Keita, and many others, Tounkara has plied his considerable musical skill on a wide array of styles.

I recently spoke with Tounkara in Somerville, Massachusetts to talk about:

* how he was influenced by western music when growing up in Mali, much of which was music descending from ancient, African music
* how it is he came to move to the US and what he is hoping to achieve by doing so
* why it is that music plays such an integral part in our daily lives--and helping us to reduce stress

Samples from Balla Tounkara's CDs featured in the Well-Rounded Radio Interview include:
IN PREVIEW: Kita Fasa (My Hometown) : Be Right
1) Dianfa (Treason) : Be Right
2) Sounjata : Malifoly"
3) Kaira : Malifoly
4) Lanban : Kelefaba: The Peacemaker
5) Foliba (The Art of Playing Music) : Yayoroba
6) Bangnereye (Lazy People) : Be Right
7) Lemeneya (Strong Heart) : Be Right
8) Kuma (The Word) : Yayoroba
9) Wle'le : Spa Song: Kora
10) Toungamangi (Adventure) : Be Right

If you like Balla Tounkara, give a listen to the Well-Rounded Radio Interviews with Lovewhip and Atlas Soul.

Balla Tounkara available from CD Baby, Spa Song/Madisyn Taylor, and digitally from Calabash Music.

To learn more about music from Mali, read In Griot Time: An American Guitarist in Mali from Banning Eyre and its corresponding CD, In Griot Time: String Music from Mali.

A site Well-Rounded Radio recommends: Some wonderful photography (and keen, international, political insight) from Dominic Arizona Bonuccelli.