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TOUBAB KREWE
PRESENTS “MUSICIANS FOR MALI” BENEFIT CONCERT
AT CITY WINERY IN NEW YORK ON SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 22, 2012
Toubab Krewe has organized a stellar line up of Malian and
American artists to celebrate Malian Independence Day,
heighten awareness about the ongoing crisis in Mali, and
raise money for refugees. In partnership with co-producers
Afropop.org and the Malian Cultural Center umaca.org,
“Musicians for Mali” will benefit Relief International
working with refugees in Niger and Bamako-based
Instruments4Africa aiding musicians and their families who
have fled the North.
By way of background, an influx of armed Tuareg fighters
from newly fallen Libya and a military coup in Bamako, the
Malian capital, destabilized the country in the early months
of 2012. At first, Tuareg rebels seemed to take control of
the Malian north—including the cities of Timbuktu, Gao, and
Kidal--declaring it an independent entity called Azawad.
But, the better organized Islamist militants of Ansar Dine
took advantage of the situation and managed to gain the
upper hand. The Islamists now rule in the north, imposing
the harshest form of Shariah law, which most locals find
contrary to Islam, banning music, restricting the lives of
women, and digging themselves in militarily, should anyone
wish to challenge them. Criminality is rampant as homes are
being robbed or just appropriated, and flocks stolen.
Refugees continue to stream out of the region on a daily
basis. With Mali's
own government in flux after the coup, it is difficult to
see how the political conflict will be resolved. Meanwhile,
the refugees need immediate help, and they are the focus of
this event. See below for information on event’s
beneficiaries—Relief International and Instruments4Africa.
Featured artists will be:
Toubab Krewe: Some music cannot be found on a map or within
iTunes categories. Some music is so original it seems
snatched from the great, invisible substrata that runs below
all human activity, a sound aching to be born without a flag
or fixed allegiance - free, questing, overflowing with
tangible life. This is the music of Toubab Krewe. the
vibrant Asheville, NC-based powerhouse that creates a sonic
Pangaea that lustily swirls together rock, African
traditions, jam sensibilities, international folk strains
and more. While nearly impossible to put into any box, it
takes only a few moments to realize in a very palpable way
that one is face-to-face with a true original who recognizes
no borders in a march towards a muscular, original, globally
switched-on sound.
Balla Kouyate: Considered to be among the greatest balafon
players in the world today. A virtuoso, he plays two
instruments to get a chromatic scale, allowing him to play
any genre of music in any key. His speed is astounding as he
moves effortlessly between the two balafons, delivering his
signature roulements and complex improvisations. Balla has
been featured on at least 45 albums including Angelique
Kidjo's Grammy-nominated 'Oyo' and Yo-Yo Ma's Grammy-winning
'Sounds of Joy and Peace', and has collaborated with Mamadou
Diabate, Susan McKeown, Vusi Mahlasela, Roswell Rudd's
MALIcool ensemble, and Schlicht's Tempore.
Abdoulaye Alhassane Toure: Abdoulaye Alhassane is a
brilliant multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger, and
producer from Mali and Niger. Abdoulaye is a master of the
music of many Saharan cultures and languages: Songhai,
Sonrai, Tamaschek, Peul, Toureg, Zerma, Hausa, and others.
His original music is rich in complex rhythms, beautiful
blue modes, and full of joyous enthusiasm.
Oran Etkin: Described as a "great clarinet player" and an
"excellent improviser" by the New York Times music critic
Ben Ratliff, Oran Etkin has performed around the world with
musicians ranging from guitarist Mike Stern and pianist
Gonzalo Rubalcaba to rapper Wyclef Jean. Through years of
experience in a myriad of musical cultures, Etkin has
developed a unique sound on the clarinet, bass clarinet and
saxophone that draws on ancient traditions from Africa,
Israel, New Orleans, and beyond.
Benyoro: In the Bambara language of West Africa, Benyoro
means meeting place, and that's exactly what this group is.
It's about the meeting of traditional and modern
instruments, African and American musicians, and
centuries-old songs and modern arrangements.
Banning Eyre: Banning Eyre is an author, guitarist, radio
producer, and Senior Editor at Afropop.org. He has been
researching and learning African guitar styles for over 20
years, including a seven-month apprenticeship with Malian
guitar master Djelimady Tounkara. Eyre has developed an
original composition and performance style that incorporates
traditions from Mali, Congo, Zimbabwe, Madagascar and
beyond, along with his own background in American
finger-style guitar. He performs with the band Timbila, and
with various musicians playing African music in
New York City.
About our Beneficiaries:
Relief International responds to the world's worst
humanitarian crises. Since 1990, Relief International has
been committed to partnering with communities in need and
transforming victims of vulnerability to empowered
participants in sustainable development. Relief
International is responding to the needs of over 15,000
Malian refugees in northern Tahoua province of Niger by
providing assistance in food security, health and hygiene,
shelter.
More info:
www.ri.org/files/uploads/RI_Mali_Refugees_in_Tahoua_Niger_Assessment_Report.pdf
Bamako-based non-profit Instruments4Africa is committed to
cultural preservation, helping artistskeep their practice
alive so they can continue to empower their communities. The
organization is currently assisting families of displaced
traditional artists from the North. Families receive food,
medicine, school fees, until they can get back on their feet
and provide for themselves. They also help artists find gigs
and connect them to agencies offering additional assistance.
Funds raised will enable the organization to significantly
expand the number of families they serve. More info:
http://i4africa.org/donate/
Event Co-Producers
Toubab Krewe has been traveling to West Africa since 1999,
and to Mali since 2004. Touring internationally since 2005,
the band played Mali's legendary Festival au Desert in 2007.
With many friends, teachers, and collaborators living in
Mali and affected by this crisis, the band felt called to do
something to help. Inspired by the encouragement of Toumani
Diabate, Toubab Krewe's Luke Quaranta envisioned and
launched "Musicians for Mali".
Afropop Worldwide is the award-winning, nationally
syndicated public radio program hosted by Georges Collinet
that has introduced American listeners to the contemporary
music cultures of Africa and the global African Diaspora
since 1988. The companion web site—afropop.org—offers on
demand audio, the Hip Deep series, video, reviews, a daily
blog, NYC events calendar and one of the world’s most
extensive archives on African music.
The Malian Cultural Center Mme. ATT Lobbo Traore is a 501(c)
3 non-profit organization that serves as a platform for
cultural immersion for American youth born to Malian
immigrants, and the empowerment of Malian women in New York.
The Center’s programs focus on building strong families,
capable children, and supportive communities. More
information: www.umaca.org
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For more information and to purchase tickets:
www.citywinery.com/newyork/tickets/musicians-for-mali-benefit-concert-to-aid-refugees-9-22.html
If you can not make our "Musicians for Mali" benefit on
Sept. 22nd, we encourage you to support the work of Relief
International and Instruments4Africa by making a direct, tax
deductible contribution to their targeted Malian refugee
programs through the links above. Thank you
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