Feature: The Cover Story - The Balimaya Project on Kofifi FM 97.2

Loading player...
Balimaya Project, is a London-based 16 piece collective, uniquely fusing West-African folkloric music and jazz.

Formed in 2019 by percussionist Yahael Camara Onono, The word Balimaya from the Maninka language, means the essence of kinship.. and is engrained in the moral fabric of the Mande people, which is what inspires Balimaya’s mission.


The collective the repertoire of the Mande peoples of Senegal and Mali as the bridge to bring West African music, together with Jazz and the sounds of Black London, creating something different.


Bandleader Yahael pays homage to his Senegalese, Nigerian cultural roots throughout the music. Adding a new depth to the music including the voices of the many communities that have guided him along the way.

The Balimaya Project, is our Cover Story.
4 Feb 2024 English South Africa Music · Music Interviews

Other recent episodes

Standard Bank Young Artist, Siya Charles on The K Jazz Show

We’re thrilled to celebrate the 2025 recipients of the Standard Bank Young Artist Awards (SBYA) — an initiative that, for 40 years now, has honored creative excellence and fearless innovation in South African art. Among the six remarkable trailblazers is Siyasanga “Siya” Charles, a Juilliard-trained trombonist whose global career and…
13 Apr 5 min

Introducing the Nomadic Orchestra on The K Jazz Show

We’re joined by a collective that’s as much about movement as they are about music. With their brass-heavy sound, genre-defying style, and infectious energy, they’ve made waves across South Africa and beyond. They say they play intelligent music… they play dumb music… and they play whatever they want—because you come…
13 Apr 13 min

A Journey to Jazz with Heinrich Frans on The K Jazz Show

As the sun rises and the melodies of the past, present, and future intertwine, we are thrilled to welcome an artist whose voice has graced some of the world’s most prestigious stages. His journey in music began at the tender age of 11, singing in renowned choirs before evolving into…
6 Apr 29 min

Experience Wanda Baloyi on The K Jazz Show

Every week on The K Jazz Show we keep you plugged in with the latest on the jazz band stands with our feature “The Jozi Jazz Plug” and this week we are excited to have with us Wanda Baloyi who is a dynamic force in the music industry, seamlessly blending…
30 Mar 10 min

Out of this world with Siya Makuzeni on The K Jazz Show

“Kofifi FM, you are spending time in the company of The K Jazz Show, Sundays 10;00 to 13:00 and as always we bring you closer to some of the conversations with your favourite jazz musicians. As the Joy of Jazz Festival approaches, one name stands out—Siya Makuzeni. A dynamic force…
21 Mar 33 min