Nils Kercher, Oumar Barou Kouyate, y Kira Kaipainen

African Pulse & Nordic Space

Nils Kercher (GER) kora (West African harp), vocals, percussion, guitar
Barou Kouyate (Mali) ngoni (Malian lute), acoustic guitar, talking drum 
Kira Kaipainen (FIN) percussion, vocals, balafon

Captivating Soundscapes crafted from the traditions of West Africa and from the introspective atmosphere of the Nordic landscape, flavoured by modern songwriting.

Nils Kercher and his international band spread out their treasury of expressive rhythms alongside balafon and the awe-inspiring kora, a twenty-one stringed West African harp. Their poetic world music builds into fantastic contrasts while later passing into an almost sacred sound space with a quietly oscillating pulse.
The music draws the continents closer together with a new lyrical sound language – and touches listeners of all generations and nationalities.

The ngoni virtuoso Barou Kouyaté, a long-term member of the band led by his world-famous uncle Bassekou Kouyaté, brings a warm, earthy colour to the texture. Also his acoustic guitar accentuates Kercher´s melodic kora with great sensitivity and groove. These two artists - coming from very different backgrounds - share a natural and organic dialogue.

Kira Kaipainen enhances the musical journey with her gentle voice, delicate percussion and her deep, yet playful lyrics.

Nils Kercher's albums have received great international acclaim in the global fusion and songwriter music scene. The BBC and renowned music magazines such as Songlines, fRoots and R2 compared his pieces with prominent productions from various cultural backgrounds, by artists such as Rokia Traore, Steve Reich and Peter Gabriel. And that aptly describes the music: it glides from atmosphere to atmosphere and between times and continents to weave an organic story.

The songs feel like a cycle of verses that leave you enchanted long after the music has faded away.