BAABA MAAL the legend is HERE!
BAABA MAAL is coming to South Africa – make sure to catch the “Nightingale’ in action…
OppiKoppi Productions is proud to announce that the legendary Baaba Maal will be touring in South Africa during September and October 2005. This Senegal born singer will be appearing at some of South Africa’s benchmark Arts Festival during this period and will have a couple of normal…
club performances as well.
WHO IS BAABA MAAL?
Baaba’s previous two releases Firin’ in Fouta and Nomad Soul earned critical acclaim worldwide, reinforcing his role as a seminal artist in the world music arena. With constant touring he has honed and enriched an already phenomenal stage show. Touring nearly every continent including the West Indies, the overwhelming universal response has been utter awe.
Aside from being a remarkable musician, Baaba is socially conscious and represents the United Nations Development Program as a spokesman on the issue of HIV/Aids in Africa. He has been featured on both Red Hot and Rhapsody, a tribute to Gershwin, and the forthcoming release, Red Hot and Riot a tribute to Fela Kuti, both projects put together by the HIV/Aids awareness campaign group, The Red Hot Organization.
Music was an integral part of Baaba’s childhood as he grew up on the banks of the river Senegal. Born to the Hal Pulaar people, (known to the English speaking world as Fulani) his mother used songs she composed herself to educate and instill in him the value of intelligent and thoughtful lyrics. Technically speaking, he was not destined to become the master musician he is today by virtue of the fact that he was not born into the caste of artists and communicators known as Griots. Through time, travel and education, his experiences have resulted in profound self awareness allowing him to deliver the message of empowerment, enlightenment, and peace.
His early edudcation in St. Louis (the original French colonial capital) lead him to win an art scholarship in Senegal’s modern capital, Dakar. There he joined Asly Fouta, a group of seventy musicians. Thus began his study of local instruments which he was later expanded through an extensive tour of West Africa with longtime friend, Mansour Seck. Going from village to village, they tapped the oldest person in each location to learn about the history of the village, the country and the music. The final leg of his studies were completed at the Conservatoire des Beaux Arts in Paris. Following his return to Senegal, he formed his band Daande Lenol “Voice Of The People.”
Complementing his comprehension of traditional music, he was also influenced by black American singers of the 1960’s such as James Brown, Otis Redding and Wilson Pickett. He later discovered Jamaican musicians such as Toots Hibbert, Bob Marley and Jimmy Cliff when they toured Senegal in the mid 1970’s which further broadened his musical expression.
Using his music as a vehicle to express his concerns and empower his people, Baaba Maal sings and speaks for Africa with unprecedented authority.
TOUR DETAILS
30 Sep – Bassline, JHB
Tickets: R200 excluding all Computicket fees
Contact number: (011) 838 9145/6
1 Oct – Aardklop, Amphi Theatre
Tickets: available from Computicket
Contact number: (018) 294 7509
2 Oct – Awesome Africa Festival
Tickets: Available from Computicket
Contact number: 031 206 2494
8 Oct – Bassline
Tickets: R200 excluding all computicket fees
Contact number: (011) 838 9145/6
9 Oct – Macufe Festival
Tickets: Available from Computicket
Contact number: 051 447 7771
CLICK HERE TO GO TO COMPUTICKET
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