BAMBA WASSOULOU GROOVE
““Bamba Wassoulou Groove’s guitar attack force creates a soaring wall of sound. Be prepared to hear West African guitar playing at its finest. The band blends funk, rock, and even reggae influences with drum and bass lockups, merging Mali’s musical heritage with global sounds. While the lead vocals are compelling, it’s the band’s guitar-driven energy that steals the show, dazzling audiences with the exceptional skill of its guitarists.””
“Now while we were glued to our seats during The Breath, we were wild on our feet during the set from Bamako, Mali’s Bamba Wassoulou Groove. Led by three guitarists, notably Moussa Diabaté of Super Rail Band fame, the rest of the band are young, highly energetic players. Originally formed in 2013, was organized by Bamba Dembélé, co-founder of the influential Super Djata Band of the 1980’s, and who passed away in 2018. But the band lives on and the crowd in the venue went wild. A conga line of at least fifty participants wiggled and weaved its way through dance floor. If you want to spend a night burning unwanted calories, catch this group wherever and whenever you can.”
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07/04/2025 (Fri) – High Sierra Music Festival (Quincy, CA)
07/06/2025 (Sun) – The Freight (Berkeley, CA)
07/10/2025 (Thu) – Music on Main / Teton Valley Foundation (Victor, ID)
07/11/2025 (Fri) – Montana Folk Festival (Butte, MT)
07/12/2025 (Sat) – Montana Folk Festival (Butte, MT)
07/13/2025 (Sun) – Wild Buffalo (Bellingham, WA)
07/16/2025 (Wed) – Harrison Music Festival (Harrison, BC)
07/17/2025 (Thu) – Wicket Hall – Victoria Jazz Society (Victoria, BC)
07/18/2025 (Fri) – Vancouver Folk Music Festival (Vancouver, BC)
07/20/2025 (Sun) – Music Haven Festival (Schenectady, NY)
07/23/2025 (Wed) – Arden Hill Hall (Wilmington, DE)
07/24/2025 (Thu) – NYC
07/25/2025 (Fri) – Lowell Folk Festival (Lowell, MA)
07/26/2025 (Sat) – Lowell Folk Festival (Lowell, MA)
+ More to come
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Bamba Wassoulou Groove, a powerful collective of five musicians, knows the undeniable power of Malian guitars. Their hypnotic, spiraling rhythms effortlessly transport listeners to the vibrant streets and red earth of Mali.
Founded in Bamako in 2013 by the late Bamba Dembelé—percussionist and co-founder of the iconic Super Djata Band—Bamba Wassoulou Groove is rooted in the rich legacy of Malian music. Dembelé, alongside Zani Diabaté, the funkiest and most eccentric guitarist in post-independence Mali, helped define the sound of the Super Djata Band. The band, alongside the Ambassadors of Salif Keita and the Super Rail Band, became a force to be reckoned with in the late '70s and '80s, igniting dancefloors and captivating young audiences with their infectious grooves.
However, following the tragic deaths of Diabaté and other members, the Super Djata Band disbanded, marking the end of an era in Mali's music history. With Bamba Wassoulou Groove, a new generation of talented musicians has risen to carry the torch. The band fuses the traditional with the modern, breathing new life into a genre that remains as potent and original as ever. By blending timeless Bambara classics with fresh compositions, the band ignites the stage with a powerful energy, captivating audiences worldwide.
Their music, anchored by psychedelic bluesy electric guitars, intricate solos, and soulful vocals, is a force that propels Mali’s musical legacy into the future. Bamba Wassoulou Groove's live performances are nothing short of electrifying, resonating deeply with fans while pushing the boundaries of contemporary Malian music.
"The dance-trance guitars of Mali's Bamba Wassoulou Groove turned the Siam Tent into a maelstrom of flying festival trousers and hipster beards."
— The Times"Bamba Wassoulou Groove proved that Malian guitars truly speak to the sun. Percussion, drums, and vocals elevate the psychedelic, soaring tangle of sounds that flow from the guitarists at the front of the stage."
— Clash Music