Alhaji Bai Konte

Who was Alhaji Bai Konte?

Alhaji Bai Konte was a jali from Brikama, Gambia. His father Burama Konte was the one who composed the Anthem [Boom] of the 19th century Senegambian hero Mansumaneh Yundum. It was from that anthem that the anthem of Sheriff Sidi Hydara as well as Nyansu Mbasse originated from. Burama Konteh was a well known kora player of his generation. Alhaji Bai Konte was a regular on Radio Gambia and Radio Senegal's joint program called Chossani Senegambia in the 1970s. He and other prominent griots such as Jali Nyama Suso and Alhaji Abdoulaye Samba used to play live music during the show. Alhaji Bai Konteh had narrated many epics on that show including the epic of King Abdou Njie and his griot and advisor Ibra Faye. Prominent broadcasters of that show included Alhaji Alieu Ebrima Cham Joof, Alhaji Assan Njie and Alhaji Mansour Njie.

Following in the footstep of his father, Bai Konte also played the 21-string kora and is believed to have been the first kora player to perform and tour in the United States as a soloist, playing at the 1973 Newport Jazz Festival.