MANDENG GROOVE
Mandeng Groove is a multicultural ensemble inspired by the Manding music tradition of West-Africa. Co-created by Guinean-Australian multi-instrumentalist, Amadou Kalissa and Melbourne guitarist Kyle Muir, Mandeng Groove’s performance is concurrently deep, immersive, energetic and fun. This music is for dancing.
Kalissa comes from the West-African griot tradition, a family lineage dating back many generations whose role is to preserve genealogies, historical narratives and music traditions. With Kalissa’s mastery of many traditional instruments (Kora, n’goni, djembe, talking drum) and some of Melbourne’s most exciting improvisers, Mandeng Groove music takes on a new life each time it is played.
In 2024, Mandeng Groove spent a month in Conakry, Guinea collaborating, studying and recording with local musicians. The result is their debut full length LP Lamban, which will be released April 2025 and features some of Guinea’s finest musicians including Ba Cissoko and Sekou Kouyate.