Born in Casamance Senegal & a young descendant of Balla Fasseke Kouyate the first Mandinka djali & official griot (storyteller) of Manding emperor Sundjata Keita, Kadialy is a highly regarded London-based griot-musician, teacher, actor, recording artist & collaborator. His beautiful instrument is the iconic 22 stringed kora the West African harp, he sings in several languages, and leads his own band Sound Archive, performing compelling music from his new 2020 album Nemo (Blessings) that draws on his heritage and its traditional songs.
Kadialy has toured widely & internationally performing as a solo artist at prestigious venues including WOMAD, London’s Royal Festival Hall, O2 Arena & Royal Albert Hall, and he & his band are fixtures on the London live world music & jazz scene. His kora music & soulful vocals are also widely known across the UK through his glittering presence recording & touring with world music collective Rafiki Jazz, and his numerous radio & TV broadcasts include with Jazz FM, BBC Loose Ends, Late Junction & World Service
Kadialy’s wonderful music reaches into theatre & film too. He has toured with the RSC’s Julius Caesar production, performed with London Globe Theatre’s We The People & with several Oily Cart children’s theatre productions. He took part in the remaking of the TV series Roots as a musician, cultural consultant and dialect coach.
His latest album Na Kitabo (My Book) is rooted in his own Senégalese tradition & has all the hallmarks of a classic in the making’ (Rhythm Passport)
‘Admirable skill & precision’ (Songlines #125)
‘Successful piece of West African Afro-Pop with a message’ (Tropicalidad.be)