User:Annamol

Boureima “Vieux” Farka Touré

History

Vieux grew up in his father’s hometown of Nlafunké in the Sahara Desert as well as Mali’s capitol Bamako

His father urged him to join the military. He didn’t want his son to get into the music business that had sucked him away from his family after struggling in the music business and finally being signed to World Circuit Records.^[1]

Despite his father’s efforts, Vieux started to learn to play in secret. He claimed it must have been a genetic passion from the beginning.^[2] Openly disregarding his father’s wishes, In 1999 Vieux enrolled at the National Arts Institute in Bamako. This is where he started to compose his own music. By the time he left the institute he had already made a name for himself in the local music scene. Partly because of his own compositions and also because of his ability to emulate the likes of his father’s music.

Eventually his father discovered his son’s passion for music and he asked his friend, legendary African player, Toumani Diabaté to professionally mentor his son. Toumani worked to support and guide the creation of Viuex’s ensembles.Toumani recognized Vieux’s abilities and pushed for Ali’s acceptance of his son’s passion. And accept he did. Vieux began performing in France, South Africa and even started to accompany his father on stage.^[3]

In 2005, Vieux started working with friend Eric Herman, a North American musician and producer. Herman and Viuex played together while in the Arts Institute. They started working on album shortly after their reunion. Toumani contributed to the album and even Ali, suffering from cancer, contributed. In 2006 he released a self-titled album-which contain tracks with his father. These are noted as some of the last records by Ali on the Modiba-World Village Label.^[2]

Modiba Productions

Vieux Farka Touré was produced by Modiba Productions. Modiba is a team of young producers who are dedicated to the betterment and empowerment of Africa. Modiba is also the creator of ASAP,The Afrobeat Sudan Project. ASAP raised more the $135,000 for the refugees in Darfur. 10% of the proceeds from Vieux Farka Touré were donated to Bee Sago, a UNICEF-affiliated organization, also apart of Modiba's Fight Malaria campaign.^[4]

Since his release has been named one of the Awards for World Music Newcomer of 08 by BBC for his performance in May 2006 in the UK. ^[5]

African Tribute to James Brown

Still Black, Still Proud

In the Summer of 2008 saxophonist Pee Wee Ellis, Brown sideman, organized a “Still Black, Still Proud” tribute to famous American Funk Artist James Brown. Ellis played in Brown’s band from 1965 to 1969 and co-wrote the song, “Still Black, Still Proud”.

The tour combines the cultural chemistry of American Funk and African Pop music. Trombonist Fred Wesley, Senagalese singer Cheikh Lo, Afrobeat pioneer and Fela Kuti collaborator Tony Allen, to Manu Dibango, Angélique Kidjo, and Malian guitarist Vieux Farka Touré.The concert contained a mixture of classic Brown hits and new ensembles written for the tribute. Vieux explained to the Boston globe that James Brown had an impact on Africa. He remembers listening to James Brown as a child in Mali. He told The Boston Globe “"Even in the deep bush, the villages, people knew about James Brown," Touré said. When asked to discuss the influence of American racial history on Brown’s music he chose to focus on his universal impact. He told The Boston Globe, “I'm not really all that much into black, white, brown, I judge each person individually. And James Brown was an immense personality." ^[6]

Montreal Jazz Festival

Vieux is booked to perform at the 30th annual Montreal Jazz Festival in the summer of 2009. Vieux will take the stage among 150 other concerts between June 30th and July 12th.^[7]

Personal Style

Viuex describes his style as Korobo Rock. Korobo refers to a self-given title by the people of Northern Mali. It is a mixture of traditional Malian music, rock-n-roll, reggae, pop, and salsa.^[2]