Acoustic Africa March 25, 2011

Acoustic Africa is an exhilarating musical journey that focuses on the richness of the African guitar tradition. The performance includes Habib Koite, the Malian superstar whose exciting concerts have endeared him to audiences worldwide, Oliver Mtukudzi, the best-selling artist in his home country of Zimbabwe, and Afel Bocoum, a guitarist, singer, and composer from Mali whose songs evoke the evolution of traditional Malian society.

One of Africa's most exciting performers, Habib Koite plays music that reflects the diverse musical traditions of his Malian homeland. Accompanied by his band Bamada, Koite has released a number of successful and critically acclaimed albums and has appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman and in major magazines such as People and Rolling Stone.

Lovingly called "Tuku", Oliver Mtukudzi began recording in the mid-1970s as a member of Wagon Wheels, a band that also featured Thomas Mapfumo. After Wagon Wheels rolled to fame in Southern Africa, Tuku formed Black Spirits, the band that has backed him throughout his career. Mtukudzi has been heavily influenced by chimurenga, the genre pioneered by Mapfumo that is inspired by the hypnotic rhythms of the mbira (thumb piano). While Tuku's music is undeniably contagious, it is his lyrics that have captured the hearts of his people as his songs invariably deal with social and economic issues.

Afel Bocoum began his music career with his uncle Ali Farka Toure in the group Asco, a collaboration which lasted some thirty years. In the 1980s, he founded his own group named Alkibar, in which he plays the guitar, sings, and composes. In 2002, Afel collaborated with the lead singer of Blur, Damon Albarn, on the extremely popular album Mali Music. With remarkable subtlety and a sure talent, Bocoum has proved that he is a true "messenger of the great river," and it's certain he will actively contribute to keeping Malian music at the forefront of the international scene.

Official Website: http://www.ciis.edu/News_and_Events/Event_Calendar/Acoustic_Africa.html