Arts at the Armory Spotlight Series Presents Djékady with Balla Kouyaté and Mike Block
Sunday, March 1, 2026
Led by Balla Kouyaté and Mike Block, this band weaves Malian and American traditions into music that moves feet and lifts spirits.
Djékady, a Mandinka phrase that means “coming together is good,” is a fiery six-piece band led by Grammy-winning musicians Balla Kouyaté (balafon, vocals) and Mike Block (cello, vocals) that puts Malian music into conversation with American folk music and contemporary styles. Featuring Mamoudou Konate (djembe), Idrissa Koné (talking drum, calabash, percussion, vocals), Luke Okerlund (guitar), and Mike Rivard (bass, sintir), the band’s energetic nature and deep appreciation for each other’s cultures create an unexpected and beautiful display of music without limitations.
As soon as Balla Kouyaté was old enough to sit up, his father placed a mallet in his hand. If their 800-year-old lineage of balafon players were a baobab tree, Balla would be its newest branch. The Kouyaté family are griots, or djelis, from the village of Niagassola on the Mali-Guinea border. In West African culture, djelis are more than just eminent musicians — they are storytellers, soothsayers and peacemakers. They transmit their oral history like a long game of telephone across generations. Djékady puts Malian music into conversation with American folk music and contemporary styles, allowing new shoots to sprout from Balla Kouyaté’s musical tree.
This concert is the Boston release party for Benkan, Djékady’s debut album. Meaning “agreement” in the Mandinka language, Benkan expands the possibilities of American music by celebrating the cultural richness shaped by global connection.
Join us for an incredible concert with Djékady on March 1, 2026 at Arts at the Armory in Somerville, MA. Doors open at 5:00pm, the show will start at 6:00pm.
Tickets purchased for Djékady are non-refundable. All sales are final.