Balimaya Project is a London-based 16-piece collective that fuses West-African folkloric music and jazz. Formed in 2019 by percussionist Yahael Camara Onono, a second-generation Londoner, the band uses the repertoire and instrumentation of the Mande peoples of Senegal and Mali as the bridge to bring the folkloric West African music together with jazz and the sounds of Black London. The word "Balimaya" comes from the Maninka language and means the essence of kinship. The band has played mainstage at festivals across the UK, including We Out Here!, Brainchild Fest and End Of the Road to name a few. The band's debut album, "Wolo So", was released in July 2021.
