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The latest offering in the College of William and Mary’s Ewell Concert Series combines hundreds of years of West African tradition with contemporary American influences into a musical melting pot. Amadou Kouyate, a Washington, D.C., native versed in multiple instruments, performs inside the college’s Ewell Hall Thursday.

He is part of the 150th generation of his family, steeped in the Manding Diali tradition that emphasized music and oral storytelling.

“He’s grown up in the tradition,” said Akua Kouyate, the musician’s mother and booking agent. “Because of that, his experiences in that tradition are really steeped. However, he’s also a really contemporary person living in the U.S.”

The result is a time- and genre-spanning repertoire, with traditional songs dating back to the 13th century and original compositions that embrace the sounds of blues, jazz, rock and hip hop.

Amadou Kouyate spent time studying with musical maestros across Mali, Senegal, Guinea and Cote d’Ivoire and he’s since performed at the likes of Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center.

“Amadou is not only a dynamic performer, but he’s also a versatile performer as well,” said Christopher DeLaurenti, director of the Ewell Concert Series and an assistant professor of music at William and Mary. “There’s not only this alluringly archaic sense to his music but also a really profound aura of the contemporary as well.”

Amadou Kouyate plays the kora, a 21-string instrument that DeLaurenti compared to the cello and the harp but said was also unique.

“The instrument is played and held in a way unlike any other instrument in the west,” he said. “It’s very melodic and it’s very captivating. It feels and sounds very ancient.”

The musician also plays Djembe and Koutiro drums. As Amadou Kouyate learned of tradition from his father, uncle and other family members, his mother hopes the audience will embrace sharing culture and knowledge in an environment meant to be friendly and accessible.

“It’s all very meaningful. Hopefully by the end of the night, people will have expanded their appreciation,” she said. “I’m happy just to know that more people are hearing more music that comes out of West African tradition.”

Although the concert offers a unique experience compared to others at Ewell Hall, DeLaurenti hopes the event resonates with the community in the same way as previous performances.

“I always hope that people are all at once enchanted and intrigued. That’s my favorite reaction that I hope someone will have,” DeLaurenti said. “I can almost guarantee that you’ll be surprised.”

Want to go?

Amadou Kouyate performs 7:30 p.m. March 22 at Ewell Hall, 221 Jamestown Road. Free. To learn more, visit itsamadou.com.