Mamar Kassey
Mamar Kassey |
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Mamar Kassey is a jazz-pop-ethnic band from Niger. It is named after a legendary warrior who extended the Songhai Empire into the Sahara.
Style
Its leader is the singer and flautist, Yacouba Moumouni. The group combines traditional Hausa, Djerma, Peul and Songhai rhythms, instruments such as the Molo (lute with skin-covered body), and modern instruments such as the electric bass guitar. Their sound also incorporates western jazz, Moroccan and latin music.
Success
An eight piece group[1] formed by Maumouni and guitarist Abdallah Alhassane in 1995, Mamar Kassey have released two albums internationally and toured Europe and the United States multiple times, coming to attention in France after their appearance at the Festival des Nuits Atypiques in Langon in 1998. They are one of the few Nigerien musical acts known internationally, and much beloved in their home country.
Makida Palabre
In 2004-2005, musicians from Mamar Kassey toured with Breton folk musicians, under the name Makida Palabre. This unique collaboration included the Breton musicians Pierre-Yves Prothais, Ronan Le Gourierec, Laurent Carré, and Youen Paranthoen playing Breton/celtic, western jazz, and West African instruments.[2]
| Music of Niger |
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| Regional music |
Musicians
Though their line up changes, this is the core of musicians, performing at the Festival des nomades in Benin, 2000.[3]
- Abdoulaye ALASSANE, (ABDALLAH): guitar.
- Adamou DAOUDA, (NAGOULI): kalangou.
- Boubacar Souleyman MAIGA, (BARI): percussion, calabash.
- Harouna ABDOU : electric bass guitar.
- Housseïni Namata CHIBAKOU: molo lute.
- Yacouba MOUMOUNI: flute, vocals.
Discography
- Denké-Denké, Daqui, Harmonia Mundi, (1999)
- Alatoumi, Daqui (2000), Harmonia Mundi (2001), World Village WV470003 (2001)
- Via Campesina, Daqui, Harmonia Mundi (2006)
- On va voir ça, Daqui, Harmonia Mundi (forthcoming, 2008)[4]
References
- ^ They have performed with larger and smaller ensembles: as an 11 piece at the JAZZ a OUAGA 2006 festival, or as a duo with hired musicians in the US because of visa restrictions (Dan Maley:2004.
- ^ See makidapalabre.com and MAKIDA PALABRE au théâtre de Redon le 10 novembre 2005, breizh.de, Guénaèle BARON.
- ^ Festival des nomades website
- ^ makidapalabre.com
- Template:Fr collection of reviews and interviews for Mondomix program, at TV5Monde. Includes extensive history of the group
- Template:Fr Interview by Pierre René-Worms, 2006, Radio France International. At the Ferveur Gnaoua Festival in Mogador, Morocco.
- BBC: Mamar Kassey Alatoumi. Reviewed by Peter Marsh. 20 November 2002.
- Afropop Worldwide: Mamar Kassey, Alatoumi. Reviewed by Banning Eyre, 2001.
- SONG OF THE SAHEL. Dan Maley, Macon Telegraph (Georgia, USA),2004-09-03, Page 3.
- Template:Fr Video and biography at TV5Monde.
External links
- Template:Fr Performance at the Alliance Franco-Marocaine d'El Jadida, Morocco (2007).