LEAF Kono Band blends traditional African drumming with vibrant influences from blues, soul, funk, and global music traditions to create a dynamic, uplifting sound that radiates energy, joy, and resilience. The group’s performances are a celebration of life, culture, and community—infused with intricate percussion, soulful melodies, and powerful harmonies that transport audiences on a journey around the world.
Rooted in Asheville, NC, all members are resident and teaching artists at LEAF Global Arts, deeply committed to cultural sharing, creative education, and building inclusive community. All of the group’s members have solo music careers and are excellent teachers and collaborative artists. Each performance is not only a musical experience but a story woven with messages of hope, heritage, and renewal. The band’s music honors cultural traditions while blending contemporary storytelling, inspiring people of all ages to connect, reflect, and celebrate.
One of the most beautiful aspects of LEAF Kono Band is its flexibility and creativity — like its namesake, the kono bird. The band can adapt from a duo to an ensemble of 25+ artists, curated to fit your event, school, or festival, based on your vision, cultural focus, and budget.
BOOKING: Melissa@theLEAF.org
LEAF Kono Band specializes in designing custom performances and educational experiences.
Example: Representing Explore Asheville in Atlanta, LEAF Kono Band featured a trio: Chinobay (Uganda – African drums and vocals), Melissa McKinney (blues and soul), and Paul Featherstone (jazz).
In Schools: One of the Kono Band’s most meaningful engagements was at IC Imagine School in Candler, NC, where 12 artists led rotating workshops for every classroom. Students explored:
• Ivory Coast drumming, dance, and culture
• Hip-hop, Latin rhythms, and Indian Bhangra dance
• Spoken word
• Songwriting and singing
• Creative hands-on arts
• Soul/rock journeys and more.
This global arts immersion culminated in a high-energy, joyful finale concert —empowering more than 500 students with self-confidence, artistic skills, and global curiosity.
BOOKING: Melissa@theLEAF.org
Whether you’re planning a concert, cultural celebration, educational residency, or community gathering, LEAF Kono Band brings powerful rhythm, meaningful stories, and unforgettable energy. Let us custom-create something extraordinary for you.
AN URGENT LETTER FROM THE LEAF BOARD:
For nearly 30 years, LEAF Global Arts has connected people through the power of art, music, and culture. Every shared moment has been made possible because of you – our community.
The LEAF Festival is critical to funding LEAF’s larger work: providing global cultural arts programming for thousands of local youth and preserving cultures and traditions around the world.
This year, we are facing a financial crossroads: between the loss of last fall’s Festival, losing a majority of our arts education funding in 2025, and not fully recovering from COVID, the future is bleak. The upcoming LEAF Festival could be our last if we don’t come together to sustain the heart of LEAF’s mission – but we have seen what this community can do when united for a cause greater than itself.
To open the Festival experience to as many people as possible, and to rally the full spirit of LEAF, we are offering a limited number of LEAF LOVE Tickets at a significant discount.
These special tickets, offered at 30% off (our highest discount, even more so than our Early Bird pricing) are our way of ensuring everyone has a place in this story. Full-priced tickets also remain available for those with the means to give a little more to help support LEAF’s vital work.
Your presence, your voice, and your support matter more than ever right now. Join us in making this LEAF Festival one that the world will never forget and ensuring the music continues for generations to come.
Mayani is a Maasai boy from longido Arusha. He went to boarding school at 6 years old and lost his Maasai language and tradition. Since joining the LEAF program, he has learned to sing Maasai songs, practiced the ‘jump’ tradition and wear Maasai shukas (traditional clothing). Mayani is extremely happy and is currently teaching other youth the culture.