YOUSSOU NDOUR: Mbalax Unplugged
Artists Lead Vocals Drums Bass Percussion Percussion Tama (Talking Drum) Keyboard Keyboard Guitar Guitar Guitar Backing Vocals Backing Vocals Saxophone Dance/Percussion
COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON CISTERN YARD YOUSSOU NDOUR ABDOULAYE LO THIERNO SARR BABACAR FAYE EL HADJI OMAR FAYE ASSANE THIAM IBRAHIMA CISSE MOUSTAPHA BAIDY FAYE PAPA OUMAR NGOM MAMADOU MBAYE MOUSTAPHA GAYE PASCALE KAMENI KAMGA BIRAME DIENG ALAIN OYONO MOUSSA SONKO
May 29, 9:00pm 1 hour, 15 minutes Performed without an intermission
YOUSSOU NDOUR (vocals) Throughout his decades long career, Youssou NDOUR’s roots in Senegalese traditional music and griot storytelling have remained the hallmark of his artistic personality. Rolling Stone calls NDOUR’s stunning tenor “a voice so extraordinary that the history of Africa seems locked inside it.” A daring innovator and staunch protector of the unique “Dakar overgroove,” NDOUR manages to fashion a sound which is both characteristically Senegalese and outward-looking, a contagiously exciting synthesis of musical languages. His mostly acoustic, one-nightonly performance at Spoleto Festival USA is a combination of traditional melodies, mbalax rhythms, and never-before-heard compositions. Sponsored by Wells Fargo Made possible in part by the Oliver S. and Jennie R. Donaldson Charitable Foundation. Programming at the College of Charleston Cistern Yard is kindly endowed by Carlos, Lisa, and Blake Evans. This performance is made possible in part through funds from the Spoleto Festival USA Endowment, generously supported by BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, Wells Fargo, and Bank of America. The Festival’s Wells Fargo Jazz advisor and Wall Street Journal jazz critic Larry Blumenfeld speaks with Youssou NDOUR at 5:00pm on Saturday, May 28, at Randolph Hall at the College of Charleston, 66 George St.
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