AFRICA LIVE: The Roll Back Malaria Concert 2005

In 2005 this is the message that greeted the visitor  to Welcome to AfricaAlive-Festival.com. This site was the official website of AFRICA LIVE the Roll Back Malaria Concert.  Content is from the site's 2005 archived pages and outside press release sources.

 

The two-day Roll Back Malaria concert in Dakar raised funds to buy mosquito nets in the fight to defeat one of the continent's biggest killers.​

PRESS RELEASE 2005

Leaders unite to escalate the fight against Africa’s child killer

DAKAR, SENEGAL, 10 March 2005 – Excitement—and commitments—mounted today in Dakar in the run-up to AFRICA LIVE: The Roll Back Malaria Concert, the star-studded, two-day music event taking place on March 12 and 13 in the Senegalese capital that will reach a billion people worldwide.  As performers, corporate leaders and the health and development community came together for a pre-concert press conference, new commitments—including millions of long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito nets—were announced.

Youssou N'Dour, Roll Back Malaria Partnership Special Envoy and Grammy-winning organizer of AFRICA LIVE, was joined by fellow artists and AFRICA LIVE performers Corneille and Rokia Traoré in confirming the African artistic community’s commitment to combating malaria, which kills 3000 children a day. "There are many organizations that are actively working to fight malaria, but music can go further, " said N'Dour. "Music can accelerate the rhythm of the movement to fight malaria."

AFRICA LIVE: The Roll Back Malaria Concert will feature performances by Youssou N’Dour performing with both l’Orchestre du Caire + Khaled and Le Super Etoile, as well as Tinariwen, Orchestra Baobab, Awadi + Joey Starr, Corneille, Rokia Traoré, Salif Keita, Oumou Sangaré, Seun Kuti + Manu Dibango + Tony Allen, Baaba Maal, Tiken Jah Fakoly and Awilo Longomba.  Expected to reach an estimated 40,000 spectators and an additional audience of one billion worldwide via television, DVD, radio and CD, the concert will both celebrate the creative energy of Africa and bring a message of empowerment and hope for tackling its major scourge: malaria.  Malaria kills over a million people each year—most of them African children—and holds back individual and socioeconomic development across the continent.  Yet this devastating disease can be prevented with mosquito nets costing US$ 7 or less and cured with drugs costing US$ 3 or less.

The New York City connection: Talmbo Musica artists were in NYC and recorded their festival radio spots at TNG/Earthling's studios. The CEO of TNG/E is Bob Sakayama who is best known as the SEO guru, is also a music producer and donated the session time for the festival spots. He also helped to rank this website in Google and is responsible for much of the online growth via search ranks. Turns out that many of the musicians he works with are also into cyber activities of some kind and Bob's post Traffic More Important Than Ranks has been translated into several languages by professional musicians who are also self proclaimed geeks.

ARTISTS WHO PERFORMED

Awilo Longomba

Content Artists Awilo Longomba was born in Kinshasa. His father, Vicky Longomba, was the famous lead singer and founder of “Tout puissant OK Jazz” during the golden age of Congolese rumba, had a big influence on our artist. Since childhood, Awilo spent every waking moment in the music scenes attending his father rehearses. Very quickly his passion for music took, and he started cutting classes and started drumming for various groups of Kinshasa, including “L’orchestre de Lita Bembo”. He joined the orchestra “Viva La Musica” led by the great Papa Wemba as a drummer, and Awilo had his real first taste of live performance on his first international tour in Europe and to Japan in 1985 and 1986.

 One of the best drummers

As the fever he caught during his tour grew stronger, he decided to pursue his artistic carrier and moved to France. His reputation as one of the best drummers in France spread very quickly. This allowed him to collaborate on numerous records and tour worldwide with several African artists such as Tshala Muana, Oliver Ngoma, Kanda Bongo Man just to name a few.

But Awilo’s ambition doesn't stop there; therefore, in 1992 he decided to leave “Viva La Musica” and formed his own group “ La Nouvelle Génération” which he became the group leader. This new band became very popular in Europe and produced several albums.

AN ASIDE: Just recently heard music from Awilo's 2008 Super-Man album when I at a vape store showing the newest wholesale drip tips from the company I'm a sales rep for. The vape store's owner is heavily into African music. I happened to recognize Awilo's music since my father always played his music while I was growing up. I just want to start dancing whenever I hear it. So there I was showing Still Chuck's Cleito Curve Drip Tips, his ULTRA wide bore Primo Drip Tips and Flat Tire' drip tips with their crazy colorful designs and I'm begiining to start shuffling my feet and shaking my boody. Crazy, right. Well, what can I say, Awilo 's music is infectious and just makes you smile. The owner says his sales increase whenever customers come in. Seemed to work for me as well, since I sold a hefty amount of product to the vape owner!

 First solo album

In 1995, the career of Awilo, the singer, took off and he left “ La Nouvelle Génération”. He released his first solo album “Moto Pamba” in which he was the composer, the lead singer and of course the drummer. The Techno-Soukous star was born. He finally put the drums down and decided to concentrate on his singing and started touring in East Africa and in Europe. This first CD land him the “Best Central Africa Artist Awards” at the KORA AWARDS 1996 and 1997.

His second tour in the studio validated his popularity. He released “Coupe Bibamba”, in 1998 with the collaboration of Jocelyne Beroard. The controversial title cut “Coupe Bibamba” that denounces poverty in Africa, hit the number 1 spot on the African and European charts very quick and stayed for several weeks.

 Kafou Kafou

In July 2000, Awilo released his third CD “Kafou Kafou”. This CD sent him back to the KORA 2001 where Awilo was recognized for his outstanding contribution to African music and received “Judges Special Awards” in 2001

Awilo is not just a regular artist doing regular music, his live outstanding performances and popularity makes him the MOST WANTED Congolese artists on the African continent and Europe. He has toured in African counties such as Nigeria, Cameroon, Uganda, Tanzania, Burkina Faso, Kenya, Cote of Ivory, Benin, Togo, Zambia, Gabon, Mali ...

Awilo also has toured in Europe ( Switzerland, Belgium, Great Britain etc…) as well as to the United States.

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Tiken Jah Fakoly

Following in the footsteps of his musical mentor, Alpha Blondy, Tiken Jah Fakoly has established himself as one of the figureheads of the new reggae scene in Ivory Coast. Fusing his infectious reggae beat with hard-hitting lyrics, Fakoly has become a spokesperson for an entire generation of music fans, speaking out on political and social issues through his songs.

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SEUN ANIKULAPO KUTI GUEST STAR TONY ALLEN & MANU DIBANGO

Seun Kuti just like his father, the late Fela Kuti, represents a minority of thinkers. Those who choose to question the ruling bodies, those who strive for quality of life and those who are not afraid to shine a light on the corruption that sprawls behind closed government doors. He represents a generation who act upon these thoughts and voice the truth. He does so without weapons, brutality and political agendas. He does so through music.

And that music is Afrobeat. A fusion of big band jazz, funk, and traditional African sounds. Fela left behind two things he treasured most.

 Afrobeat

Afrobeat : the musical style he pioneered and his band, Egypt 80. Seun chose to continue the legacy of his father by taking on the band, in partnership with its longstanding bandleader, Baba Ani. With Seun deemed lead singer, the band is a twenty-piece power house. Much of the magic of their live shows derives from the energetic exchange between musicians and dancers. It is hard to imagine that the leader, able to emulate his father’s songs and style with such grace, is a mere 21 years old and his mother, Fehintola Kuti, still one of the most vibrant dancers on stage.

Bearing his Dad’s looks, Seun is a great saxophonist, an activist and groovewriter. In this very rare performance he promises a serious funk mix of new album material and Fela classics.

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BAABA MAAL

The richness of Senegal music cannot be denied. Some artists, like Baaba Maal, manage to reproduce the essential traditions while blending them with more modern sounds. His Toucouleur blood also adds a particular note which rings in his songs. With Youssou N'Dour and Ismaël Lô, Baaba Maal forms a trio which has sent Senegal musical culture rocketing to the top of the international charts.


Africa Live - Roll Back Malaria Concert - Baaba Maal

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ROKIA TRAORE

Rokia Traoré, who mixes tradition with modernity, has found new ways to explore the roots of her native Malian music. She manages both to retain its original spirit and adapt it to nowadays preoccupations, without making it seem prejudiced nor constrained. Relentlessy travelling the globe to present her music in front of various audiences, the Malian singer also manages to lead her career with mastery and talent.

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Salif KEITA

From Fanta Damba to Mory Kanté, the "griots" and "griottes" of Mandé, Guinée and Mali are unrivalled improvisers. Members of an official brotherhood of minstrels, they are capable of singing the praises of a generous benefactor for hours on end...

 

Until an intruder comes along - an albino prince, a descendant of Soundiatta and therefore forbidden to sing - and outsings the whole lot of them. People don't mess with superstition in that part of the world, and Salif Keïta, fearing for his life, had to leave the country. But he eventually returned, because he has always had Africa under his skin - even though it is white

 

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OUMOU Sangare

Oumou Sangare is one of Mali's Most Celebrated divas - and a singer Who has Proved to be as popular in the West as she is in her homeland! Oumou's family hails from Wassoulou, a densely forested area in southwestern Mali, Where the 'Wassoulou sound' is Directly inspired by the songs of ancestor hunters. Powerful With her voice, her queenly bearing and her outspoken views on issues Such As polygamy, Oumou Sangare HAS carved out her own special place on the international music stage.


Africa Live - Roll Back Malaria Concert - Oumou Sangare

FIRST CONCERT IN PUBLIC

His first public concert is a contest between different kindergartens. That day, she sang in front of 3000 people at the sports stadium theater.

In weddings, baptisms, she starts singing, you appreciate more his voice. Therefore, she knows her path is not that of the school.

She joined the National Ensemble of Mali then spotted by veteran Djata Super Band, Bamba Dambele, all Djoliba percussion, with which it comes out for the first time in Mali in 1986. Back home, she starts sing here for honeymooners, there to celebrate a baptism, while perfecting the traditional repertoire of Amadou Ba Guindo Wassoulou with.

TURN THE DECISIVE

Then comes the decisive turn. A producer embarks with musicians and hopes to Abidjan. "It was very hard for me to leave the street. The guy who convinced me to do an album took two years to convince me," says the singer. In one week, she recorded at the studio JBZ "Moussolou" (The Women) for Syllart label. Upon his release in 1989, a year after recording due to misplaced tape, the tape causes a tidal wave. Oumou Sangaré is practically overnight a big star.

She sings in wassoulou n'ke, a variant of Bambara, his favorite themes - urban migration, respecting the forest, love ... - defends the tradition but rebelled against polygamy, arranged marriages and exploitation women.

  INTERNATIONAL CAREER

Today, she has definitely dropped weddings and baptisms. She no longer occurs in real concert halls and a string of recordings "Moussolou" in 1989; "Ko Sira" in 1993; "Worotan" in 1996, with the participation of Pee Wee Ellis, former saxophonist James Brown, and Nitin Sawhney. Her fourth album, "Laban", published in 2001 in cassette only in Africa, selling over 120,000 copies in Mali. In 2003, appears "Oumou", a double album containing all its success, most of which eight new titles of "Laban".

SOUND wassoulou

His international career, clipped in 1992-1993 after his signature on the English label World Circuit, has continued to grow. Now, Oumou Sangaré carries the sound of Wassoulou to the ears of Japan, Canada and the United States, Morocco, before the audience of European festivals ...

Beautiful singer regal bearing, she received the 2001 Music Prize Unesco / International Music Council, for his contribution to "the enrichment and development of music, as well as the cause of peace, understanding between peoples and international cooperation. "Attached to the cultural identity of the country, it still remains on the alert: "Traditionally, you have to separate things at all costs Save the good sides and reject the rest.."

  EUROPEAN TOUR

If the countries of West Africa welcome the new Senegalese star as one of their European tour which starts in May 84 seems more difficult. It begins in Paris by Africa Fête, an African cultural festival for an evening welcome the pioneers of Afro-rock, Osibisa and Youssou N'dour. May 18, 84, so it is a triumph not only to his fellow immigrants (who had the opportunity to see Paris in a club a few months ago) but also before the Parisian public. The event took place at Espace Ballard and lasts three hours. The tour continues in Germany, England, Sweden, Finland, Norway and Switzerland. In France, he contacts the Celluloid label and entrusted its interests.

  TAM TAM

Revenue in Africa, Youssou N'dour began with the Super Etoile new African tour, from Mauritania to Côte d'Ivoire. Artist ambitious, he wants to listen to his music and songs in Wolof as many. He returned to France for the Spring Festival in Bourges 85 plays in the first part of the singer Jacques Higelin with the Guinean Mory Kanté in the vast hall of Bercy from 12 September to 12 October in Paris and returned to the French capital in December for a week of concerts featuring the City Theatre. To this must be added his participation in the album "Tam Tam for Ethiopia", at the initiative of Manu Dibango, to support the fight against hunger in this country. So here all musical fronts which can only contribute to the development of his international career.

  YOU

After another series of concerts in Paris, "You", in Senegal idol becomes a true ambassador of African music and will defend its colors until the other side of the Atlantic, the United States and Canada, three weeks during. Success is again at the rendezvous and newspapers such as the American magazine Times are full of praise to the scenic and musical performance of "showman".

Met for the first time in 84, Peter Gabriel quickly becomes a friend Youssou. He hired also for the first part of his American tour with two memorable dates at Madison Square Garden in New York on 87. In the aftermath, they make the tour of Europe on the same principle.

  AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

This is the heart of a true world tour in 88 with stars like Sting, Peter Gabriel and Tracy Chapman, Youssou N'dour that accesses the big leagues. The concerts are given the benefit of Amnesty International. This adventure in which he pledged not really realize the impact, has transformed its image of national glory, it becomes global star.

  LION

Still as popular in his country, he began a tour which brings together 4,000 spectators in Rufisque, 3000 in Rosso, 4000 in Kaolack and Ziguinchor; and a few thousand in Nouakchott, Mauritania. The "Child darling of Medina" is successful on this occasion to bring together some forty musicians and technicians, accompanied by huge trucks carrying the material (when the roads are not always feasible). Youssou N'dour seems determined to show his professionalism despite logistical difficulties.

In 1989 released his first record for the international market. Signed to Virgin, "The Lion" ( "Gaiendé" in Wolof) is an album whose production costs are very important.

THE BEGINNINGS OF THE AFRICAN FUSION

If mbalax is still the key driver of his music, he is accommodated here synth leads, and sophisticated arrangements worthy of high-tech studios. Peter Gabriel is invited for a duet "Shakin 'the tree" and plays the great art-production advisors. While some fans of "You", start talking about denaturation of his music, others see in this record the beginnings of African fusion.

  SET

Together with a European tour that passes through Paris November 2, 90 in Olympia, "Set" the second album for Virgin, released in October (when he was released on December 89 in cassette form in Senegal) . If the Super Etoile de Dakar form the central core of musicians, some thirteen more are being added and thus introduce new sounds (accordion and cello) while the favorite instrument, the tama or talking drum (small underarm drum ) remains the star of the instruments. Without changing optics from the previous album, Youssou gives there all his talent by revealing considerable musical richness.

SPIKE

On the occasion of a show-tribute to Nelson Mandela in Dakar 91, the artist invites Spike Lee, black-American director to attend. While Youssou is out of label, the latter contacted shortly after to produce a new album. It's "Eyes Open", released in the spring of 92. Recorded in Dakar with his group and Jean-Philippe Rykiel in a very modern studio owned by Youssou, the fourteen tracks are sung in English, Wolof and French. The brass sections and mixing are done in New York. "Africa remembers" dedicated to the black diaspora is the song that is chosen to be the support of the Clip Launch obviously directed by Spike Lee.

  AFRICA OPERA

In July of the same year, he took a tour in France which passes through the Bataclan in Paris on 15 and 16 October. But it was the following year that a major coup by mounting a truly creative spectacle indeed, July 17, at the Festival Paris Quartier d'été, the Paris Opera (Garnier) opens its doors to Youssou N'dour for "Africa Opera" fresco around African identity with the participation of Angelique Kidjo, Aicha Kone and Diabate Djanka. This type of service is rare in the temple of opera and makes exceptional event.

  NENEH

By his own admission, Youssou believes that his music is still not widely abroad. Yet with the simple title "Seven Seconds" sung in duet with Neneh Cherry African-sounding but it is more widely known to the general public, amateur music generally Anglo-Saxon. Real commercial cardboard worldwide (1,500,000 copies sold), the title allows a breakthrough in the international variety.

In 94, the new album takes advantage of the benefits of "Seven Seconds". Entitled "Wommat" (The Guide), it soon ranked in the European charts, proof that the Senegalese star has finally conquered the extra African markets. There is a cover of Bob Dylan, "Chimes of Freedom" and "Undicided" the single remixed by the French duo Deep Forest.

PRINCE mbalax

Always enterprising, the "Prince of Mbalax" ventures into the world of traditional African griots (of which he is a descendant) and pays tribute singing with Yandé Codou Sene, great personality of Senegalese scene on an album "Voices of the Heart of Africa ". traditional songs and ballads are the program of this wonderful disc, co-produced with the German label World Network 96. On 20 September, he won with Papa Wemba, the award for "Best African Artist" of the first trophies of African music held in South Africa.

  GOAL!

In 97, the two artists come together on behalf of the International Committee of the Red Cross, along with other African musicians for a song "So why?", Calling for reconciliation in Africa.

But the event is undoubtedly the artistic participation Youssou N'dour of the 98 World Cup football in France. The title "the big leagues" with the Belgian singer Axelle Red as exceptional chorister, is chosen as anthem by Michel Platini. Football fan and internationally recognized, Youssou N'Dour broadens its image. That year, it also meant the album Alan Stivell, "1 Duar". But if no new album appears in the international music scene, Youssou does not come out less than four cassettes during the year 98.

  JOKO

Became star, each of its disks is awaited with great interest. This is the case of "Joko" (From town to town) that after many months of maturation finally born in February 2000. For the international market, Youssou deploys large means. On this album, there Wyclef Fugees he met in London and worked on three tracks. There is also Peter Gabriel and Sting coming contribute by singing on one title each. Finally, the music of Senegalese singer is like a pop international bill, that it does not also deny all.

  LE GRAND BAL

It is this dual role of traditional singer and international singer Youssou N'Dour wants to highlight at the Grand Ball that gives Paris Bercy on October 21, 2000. He even organized the arrival in Paris of part of his Senegalese fans. Composed of two parts, the show begins with a series of artist's duets with singers as varied as Cesaria Evora, Zazie, Passi or Peter Gabriel.Then after a long pause, this is the time of the great ball that lasts all night.

Le Grand Bal de Bercy then becomes an annual event that all fans' club Youssou not miss it for the world.

  PRODUCER

Remarkable singer and musician, shrewd businessman, the Senegalese star multiplies activities and seems to occupy all the land of musical creation. If he produces other artists such as Cheikh Lô, Positive Black Soul, Pacotille is to promote African art movement, to help them organize themselves and give them a chance to succeed crossover. Large company that is not afraid to "Children of the Medina!"

  EGYPT

With his new creation "that Egypt Youssou N'Dour comes to occur for the first time at the Festival of Fez.

This work expresses the faith of Youssou N'Dour and his religious and spiritual concerns. The texts of the songs are derived largely devotional lyrics of the Mouride community, Sheikh Amadou Bamba, in which Youssou N'Dour is affiliated, and evocations of saints Tidjaniya brotherhood.

With the Egyptian orchestra leader and arranger Fathy Salamah straight out of Cairo, it is a promising marriage between musical sounds and songs of West Africa and the Arab world, united in the same quest for interiority, we will invite Youssou N'Dour.

 

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Tinariwen: the Blue Men's blues.

Francis Dordor. Translated by Andy Morgan.

Music and poetry rarely cross paths with war. Soldiering and composing lyrics are two activities which don't coexist very happily. The songs of Tinariwen rise up and ambush you from behind a sand dune whose crest defines the boundary between the sphere of the artist and that of the warrior. The most arresting of the many images which have forged the legend of the group is that of Kheddou Ag Hossad setting off to attack the Malian army post of Menaka near the frontier with Niger, Kalashnikov in hand and an electric guitar strapped to his back. This skirmish took place on June 30 th 1990. It was the event that launched the second Touareg rebellion, which lasted three years and claimed thousands of victims.

 

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YOUSSOU NDOUR and Fathy Salama’s Cairo Orchestra feat KHALED

So far, only four artists have managed the cross-over from African music: Myriam Makeba in the 60s, Manu Dibango in the 70s, Mory Kanté in the 80s and now Youssou N’dour as the century reaches a close. However the main difference between You and his predecessors is that he has achieved his success in the land of his ancestors. With his habitual quiet obstinacy, he has never believed that living in Dakar would be an obstacle to conquering the world. A fine example, and bravo !

 

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ORCHESTRA BAOBAB

SENEGAL IS A COUNTRY WITH A RICH MUSICAL HERITAGE AND ONE OF THE MOST VIBRANT POP MUSIC SCENES ON THE AFRICAN CONTINENT. ITS MUSIC TODAY IS DOMINATED BY ONE MAIN SOUND - THE BREATHTAKING RHYTHMS OF MBALAX, THE MUSIC OF THE WOLOF PEOPLE IN THE NORTH OF THE COUNTRY. BUT IT WAS NOT ALWAYS SO. IN THE 1970S THE STYLE THAT FILLED SENEGAL'S AIRWAVES WAS A FUSION OF AFRO-CUBAN ELEMENTS WITH VARIOUS LOCAL SOUNDS DRAWN FROM SENEGAL'S DIVERSE CULTURAL TRADITIONS. AND THE UNDISPUTED MASTERS OF THIS FUSION WERE THE LEGENDARY ORCHESTRA BAOBAB.

 

 

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