Habib Koité & Bamada

We just learned that Youssou N'Dour has cancelled his U.S Tour and therefore will not be performing for the Jazz festival as planned. We are pleased to announce however that Malian guitarist and vocalist, Habib Koité, one of Africa's most beloved and popular musicians will perform the same night instead! Called "Mali's biggest pop star" by Rolling Stone (in aninfamous article in which Bonnie Raitt compared him to Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughn), Habib Koité has received raves from publications such as People, Entertainment Weekly and the New York Times and his charisma and magnetism translates across cultures. A descendant from a line of griots (traditional African troubadors), Koité draws on musical styles from the different regions of Mali and has gained a strong fan base by integrating rock and folk sounds of the Western world without watering down his Malian roots. Koite’s critically acclaimed 2001 release, Baro, was recently followed up in September 2007 with his release, Afriki, which features his band, Bamada, with whom he will be performing at the Jazz Festival. Afriki means"Africa" in the Malian Bambara language and refers to the strengths and challenges of the African continent. Koité is transposing his role of modern-day griot into a facilitator who is helping his fellow Africans survive in the Western-dominated, industrialized world. Besides Habib Koité on vocals and guitar, Bamada features Boubacar Sidibe, guitar, vocals,harmonica; Kélétigui Diabate, balafon, violin; Abdoul Wahab Berthe, bass, kamale n'goni, vocals; Mahamadou Kone, percussion (tama, dum dum); SouleymaneAnn, drums, vocals, calabash.

 

Tickets $15–$30. Member, Student and Multiple Concert Sales Discounts available at Outpost Performance Space Box Office 505-268-0044; Lensic Box Office 505-988-1234; or on the web www.ticketssantafe.org