Gasper Nali

Gasper Nali is a not-so-traditional babatoni player from the small town of Nkhata Bay on the shores of Lake Malawi.

The babatoni is an African one string homemade three meter long bass guitar, and with a stick and an empty beer bottle, together with a cow skin kick drum and catchy melodies, he creates the most amazing and danceable original Afro Beats possible!

Gasper’s unique style of Kwela music has received an extraordinary amount of online attention after his video went viral with over 20 million views. He has been featured on CNN and in the documentary Deep Roots Malawi, jammed with Joss Stone, appeared on Wired for Sound – Malawi, remixed by Aroop Roy for Sol Power Sounds and been played by Iggy Pop on BBC 6! His debut album, Abale Ndikuwuzeni, (roughly translated to People, I want to tell you) all sung in the Malawi national language of Chichewa, talks about life and strife in the country, often including social issues such as the rich and the poor, child marriages etc.

Gasper has toured the UK and Europe several times, playing in all environments from arts centres to major festivals. This year, Gasper will be transforming his customary one man band show and perform with a three piece band. Along for the ride is Malawi born songsmith and cultural proponent Luhangah on additional vocals and percussion, as well as Gasper’s long time producer and collaborator Mattias on guitars.

'His music is simple but joyous, and totally infectious' Songlines Magazine