AFRIKADEY! 2003
Runs until Saturday, August 16
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There is an old Zulu proverb that goes something like this: "Every stream has a source." That saying could easily be about the many forms of contemporary music that are deeply indebted to Africa. Roots, blues, hip-hop and jazz all are based on a foundation that can be traced directly to that continent.
That’s why the 12th annual Afrikadey! festival should be considered one of Calgary’s most important music events.
Gary Jones, vice chairman of the Afrikadey! Board, says the festival is a way to reach out to the people of Calgary while showcasing African culture.
African music continues to have a powerful impact on North America. To highlight that point, the organizers of Afrikadey! have scored a major coup with the appearance of Afro-pop pioneers Bembeya at this year’s festival. During their four decade-plus history, Bembeya has not only influenced scores of African groups, but also musicians throughout Europe and North America.
A break in Bembaya’s touring schedule made it possible for them to come to Calgary. Their appearance at Afrikadey! marks their first local appearance, and they kick off Afrikadey! with a free concert at Olympic Plaza on August 14th before turning up the heat at Quincy’s later in the evening.
From the West African nation of Guinea, the group was part of the so-called "golden age" of music in Africa during the ’60s and ’70s. Short-listed by fRoots Magazine for "the best band in the entire history of the planet," the horn-led, soul-stirring, 10-member group – still touring with four of its original members – is an Afro-pop sensation enjoying a resurgence in popularity following the recent release of their first album in 13 years.
Founded in 1961 and named after the Bembeya River in Guinea, the group soon earned a reputation for its stellar rhythm guitar and vocal harmonies. Bembeya faced tragedy in 1973 after a car crash killed its founder, Aboubacar Demba Camara. The band stopped performing for several years after the death of their star singer, but re-emerged after recruiting a new talent in Sekouba "Bambino" Diabaté, who later left Bembeya for a solo career.
With growing economic despair in Guinea during the 1980s, many of the national arts programs were dismantled and performers were left to fend for themselves. It was a period of struggle for Bembeya. Eventually Christian Mousset, founder of the Indigo label, arranged for Bembeya to appear at some European music festivals, notably the Musiques Metisses festival in Angoulême in France. Later, the group recorded its 2001 self-titled album – their first since 1988 – for Mousset’s new label, Marabi.
Like Bembeya, Karamoko Kouyate owes his heritage to West Africa. The Malian-born, Calgary-based singer-songwriter is the headline performer at Partie a l’Africainem which takes place at Quincy’s on Friday evening. Kouyate is part of the griot tradition, which means he was born into a way of life as an oral historian, musician, songwriter and storyteller. He has been living in Calgary for the past eight years with regular sojourns to his homeland.
"Music is in his soul," says Jones. "Afrikadey! helps to give him a wider audience."
Kouyate will also perform on the final day of the festival at Prince’s Island. This time he will appear without his band, to allow fans of his solo guitar to better appreciate why some consider Kouyate the most underrated musician in Calgary.
Other local talent appearing in the more mellow Saturday lineup at Prince’s Island is Gary Martin and Heavenly Blues, the Eritrean Evangelical Choir, the Acholi Cultural Group (originally from Sudan) and the Kekeli Dancers accompanied by the Wajjo Drummers.
Afrikadey! is about to enter its teen years and, like a child entering puberty, it’s also beginning to mature. By highlighting both international African acts and an often under-utilized array of home-grown talent, festival organizers believe they can convince the community that African music is Calgary’s music.
"It’s open door – come down, relax and chill," says Jones. "Music is life." |
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