Forthcoming event: The 8th London African Music Festival September 10-25th
Friday 10 - Saturday 25 September 2010
www.joyfulnoise.co.uk | joyfulnoise@talk21.com | 0207 328 9613
The 8th London African Music Festival expands its horizon by travelling to more venues and boroughs than ever before while presenting a musical mix of concerts, unique collaborations, free performances and workshops in the heart of London communities featuring artists from 23 countries. This year's festival will take place in 6 venues - Southbank Centre, Albany Theatre, Bloomsbury Theatre, Jazz Café, Richmix and Stratford Circus.
Friday 10 September | Southbank Centre | 8.00pm
Tickets: 0844 847 9910 | www.southbankcentre.co.uk | £20.00 / £17.50 (cons)
MC SOLAAR ( France ) + DJ EDU (BBC 1XTRA)
MC SOLAAR ( France )
One of the greatest names in modern French music, MC Solaar arrives with his distinctive mix of powerful lyrics and inventive rhymes that have taken him from the French underground to international acclaim. MC Solaar is an intensely charismatic performer whose thrilling live show is dominated by his signature smooth flow and linguistic fluidity, backed by throbbing funky beats that mix traditional African rhythms with urban techno. MC Solaar breaks the rules again with this freestyle touchdown where he is joined by vocalists and DJs to create an extravagant live show.
SOUTHBANK CENTRE FRONT ROOM
In the Front Room enjoy performances by DJ EDU of BBC RADIO 1XTRA (5pm) playing new sounds from Africa and beyond; Sudanese singer AMIRA KHEIR (6.00pm) and Ugandan chanteuse SARAH NDAGIRE (10.30pm)
Saturday 11 September | Southbank Centre | 3.00pm
Tickets: 0844 847 9910 | www.southbankcentre.co.uk | £15.00 / £12.50 (cons)
ALEMU AGA ( Ethiopia )
Ethiopian King David’s Harp master Alemu Aga brings his spiritual and meditative songs to the festival for the first time. Alemu Aga plays the ancient 10-stringed instrument called a beganna, a rare musical instrument that has survived for nearly 3,000 years and Ethiopians consider it to be the harp of King David of Israel . This is magical music of the ancient world and the closest we will get to hear music referred to in the Bible.
Saturday 11 September | Southbank Centre | 6.00pm
Tickets: 0844 847 9910 | www.southbankcentre.co.uk | £15.00 / £12.50 (cons)
RAFIKI JAZZ (various)
World music’s hottest big band brings their exciting mix of global rhythms to the big smoke. Featuring the combined talent of musicians from Zanzibar , Mauritius , Senegal , Colombia , Gambia , Zimbabwe , Brazil and UK who combine forces to create a vibrant music of astounding power reflecting today’s multicultural world. This is world music at its most alluring, exhilarating and dazzling.
Rafiki Jazz are JULDEH CAMARA (Gambia); MIM SULEIMAN: (Zanzibar); KADIALY KOUYATE (Senegal); ROSIE BROWN (UK); VANESSA CHUTTURGHOON (Mauritius); UNOME (UK); JUAN GABRIEL GUTIERREZ (Colombia); CATH CARR (UK); KUDAUSHE MATIMBAH (Zimbabwe); GUERY TIBIRICA (Brazil); MR TK (UK) and JOHN BALL (UK). Tonight they play from the new CD “More Big Muzik from Over There” – a totally infectious recording!
Saturday 11 Sept | Southbank Centre | 8.00pm
Tickates: 0844 847 9910 | www.southbankcentre.co.uk
THE MASTER DRUMMERS OF AFRICA (various)
The world’s greatest drum orchestra returns with the all conquering “THUNDER AND LIGHTING” project that sparkles like a rough diamond. The Master Drummers of Africa features 10 drummers from 10 African nations and draws from 5000 years of tribal rhythms to create an ecstatic and freewheeling music straight from the heart of African cultures. Using over 100 ethnic drums the orchestra creates uplifting and infectious rhythms that are deep, mysterious, spiritual, celebratory and utterly compelling.
SOUTHBANK CENTRE FRONT ROOM
In the Front Room Zimbabwe dance band BULAWAYO (1.00pm)
lead by charismatic singer Cecilia Ndhlovu performs their charismatic music.
Sunday 12 Sept | Southbank Centre | 7.30pm
Tickets: 0844 847 9910 | www.southbankcentre.co.uk
THE LONDON COMMUNITY GOSPEL CHOIR ( UK )
The UK ’s finest choir, the London Community Gospel Choir , founded by the legendary Bazil Me ade , creates music that speaks of universal love. For years the choir has produced some of the finest gospel singers in the country, as well as leading their heavenly voices in live shows and recordings from Sir Paul McCartney to Elton John to George Michael to Mariah Carey. With some of the finest singers in London raising the roof and a tight funky band providing the pulse expect a show that will lift your spirits and soothe your soul.
SOUTHBANK CENTRE FRONT ROOM
In the Front Room there are performances by 4SEASONS BAND AND TEMITOPE AJAYI (2.00pm);
Guinean kora player SONA JOBARTEH (4.00pm) and Senegalese singer LAYE SOW (6.00pm)
Tuesday 14 Sept | Richmix | 7.30pm
Tickets: 020 7613 7498 | www.richmix.org.uk
“WE ARE AFRICANS”
- African Hip Hop Special with JJC and Friends (various)
JJC’S London African underground classic song “We Are Africans” provides the inspiration for this freestyle extravaganza that celebrates hip-hop’s roots from Africa to Jamaican reggae dance hall, to American urban funk grooves and now South London ’s mix tapes phenomenon. "We Are Africans" is the national anthem for the United States of Africa, a concept which signifies the fortification, unification and reinvention of Africa and Africans across the world.
The London African underground hip hop scene is celebrated tonight for its unique approach to hip-hop. Fusing African griot tradition and rapping in pidgin English over inventive rhythms from the motherland has given the music the vitality that it lacked in the past. The song and the project “We Are Africans” is the genesis of things to come, the future sound of London Africans. Joining JJC are Smokey (Harry Olufemi Williams), S.O. Simple (Segun Ol ade le Adegunwa), M.P. aka Masta Plan (Brent Gb ade bo) and DJs in this African Hip Hop special.
Wednesday 15 September | RichMix | 7.30pm
Tickets: 020 7613 7498 | www.richmix.org.uk
BRASS ROOTS ( USA )
Brass Roots, led by American trombonist Jerome Harper, creates a riot of sounds from their brass heavy line-up. Taking New Orleans brass band traditions and turning them on their head with innovative approach, mixing it with Lester Bowie’s Brass Fantasy philosophy of hard funk brass band to create irresistible grooves. Live is where to see and hear Brass Roots as they tear up the rule book to create music that demands attention. With the likes of Jerome Harper (trombone); Charly Richardson (tenor saxophone); Thorn Wooley (trombone); Charlie Shuttler (trumpet); Achilleas (trumpet); David Aird (tuba); Graham Fox (percussion) and Craig “Mr Shifter” Boorman (percussion) on stage expect a thrilling show.
Thursday 16 Sept | Richmix | 7.30pm
Tickets: 020 7613 7498 | www.richmix.org.uk
DENNIS BOVELL DUB BAND ( UK )
Britain's reggae maestro Dennis Bovell is producer, composer, re-mixer, bandle ade r and one of the original architects of lover's rock, a movement that put British reggae on the world map. He is also the heaviest bassist in town, pumping out the deepest of body-shaking dub grooves reaching the top of the Richter scale while the Dub Band's blazing horns and rhythm section never fail to move and groove. Dennis Bovell ’s bass lines remain rock solid as he drives the dub band.
Friday 17 Sept | The Albany Theatre | 7.30pm
Tickets: 020 8692 4446 | www.thealbany.org.uk
ODEMBA OK JAZZ ALLSTARS ( Congo )
Led by Franco’s OK Jazz guitarist Dizzy Mandjeku Lengo, this incredible 12 piece are the finest exponents of Congolese ‘Odemba’ Rumba and one of the best live acts in the world. Featuring material by Grand Maitre ‘Franco’ Luambo Makiadi alongside their own compositions the show will be both a tribute to one of the masters of African music and a chance to hear new material in the distinctive Odemba style. Dominated by its hypnotic guitar riffs, driving rhythm and bass, plaintive horns and melodic vocals, it is one of the key precursors to soukous, the most infectious of dance styles. The Albany Theatre is a perfect venue for live dance music.
Saturday 18 Sept | The Albany Theatre | 7.30pm
Tickets: 020 8692 4446 | www.thealbany.org.uk
THE YORUBA WOMEN CHOIR ( Nigeria )
Massively popular at last year’s festival, the Yoruba Women Choir lead by founder Funmi Olawumi, will be raising every voice, stirring every soul, soothing every spirit and lifting every mind with an interactive show at the stunning Albany Theatre dance floor where the choir and audience will become one. This interactive extravaganza provides a rare opportunity to feel exquisite harmonies up close and personal to the magic of one of the world’s greatest choirs. The choir is backed by a skin tight band directed by guitarist Kunle Olasoju expect a spectacular show in the grand tradition of Nigerian music and see why gospel is the biggest music in the black world.
Sunday 19 Sept | The Albany Theatre | 7.30pm
Tickets: 020 8692 4446 | www.thealbany.org.uk
THE AFRICAN JAZZ ALLSTARS (various)
Africa’s greatest jazz orchestra presents “Rhythm Is Our Business” – a special night devoted to live jazz dance African style. This is blistering big band funk with imaginative jazz solos and irresistible African rhythms unlike any other groups on the planet earth. The African Jazz Allstars are guitarist LUCKY RANKU, pianist ADAM GLASSER, drummer FRANK TONTOH, percussionist LORD ERIC SUGUMUGU, bassist KAZ KASOZI, trumpeter CLAUDE DEPPA, trombonist FAYYAZ VIRJI, alto saxophonist TONY KOFI, tenor saxophonist BUKKY LEO, baritone saxophonist GREG BONNIE and African jazz vocal queen PINISE SAUL.
Monday 20 Sept | Bloomsbury Theatre | 7.30pm
Tickets: 020 7388 8822| www.thebloomsbury.com
CARMEN SOUZA ( Cape Verde ) + NETSAYI ( Zimbabwe )
A stunning double bill with two singers blessed with immense talent who are playing from new acclaimed CDs connected by the brilliance of Carmen Souza’s plaintive morna and originality of Netsayi’s Chimurenga Soul.
Cape Verdean Carmen Souza songstress that has it all: Whether she is singing the plaintive morna (the Cape Verdean variation of the blues) or an exuberant batuco. Souza is always convincing owing to her swing jazzy sense of timing and uncanny nuances to even the highest and lowest notes she sings. She features music from Protegid (Galileo, 2010).
Netsayi creates music that is a subtly alluring blend of soul, jazz, folk and African influence. Netsayi's rich cultural background has shaped her as an artist of great creative inquisitiveness. She plays from her second CD Monkey’s Wedding (World Connection, 2010).
Tuesday 21 Sept | Bloomsbury Theatre | 7.30pm
020 7388 8822 | www.thebloomsbury.com
WALDEMAR BASTOS ( Angola ) + NOGABE ( Madagascar )
Waldemar Bastos is the great voice of Portuguese Africa. A national hero in Angola , he went to Brazil , working closely with Djavan and Chico Buarque, and then m ade his mark across the world recording for David Byrne’s label Luaka Bop in what he calls his “Afropean” style. He takes influences from many cultures and makes them his own, producing music of immense power. Waldemar Bastos leads a true, all African star band featuring Congolese guitarist Dizzy Mandjeku Lengo, Mozambiquean drummer Elias Kacomanolis, Ghanian bassist Bibi Hammond and dazzling Congolese congo player Mafwala Komba . In his festival’s debut expect something grand and spectacular.
Opening the concert is the fabulously agile Malagasy guitarist Nogabe Randriaharimalala whose sun drenched rhythms evoke the spirit of sizeable Indian Ocean island known as the 'eighth continent'.
Wednesday 22 Sept | Jazz Café | 7.30pm
Tickets: 0207 485 6834 | www.jazzcafe.co.uk
CHEICK TIDIANE SECK ( Mali )
For thirty-five years the great Malian organist Cheick Tidiane Seck has been part of every musical adventure from jazz to African music, Indian, international groove to French pop and Hip hop. The terrific keyboardist of Bamako and the backbone of contemporary Malian music scene is a veteran of the Super Rail Band with Mory Kante. The Moog pioneer of West Africa became the mainstay of the fertile Ivor ian scene of the late 70s before finally settling in Paris in 1985. Tonight the extraordinary pianist CHEICK TIDIANE SECK is joined by bassist GUY NSANGUÉ, drummer JULIEN TEKEYAN, guitarist/ngoni player GUIMBA KOUYATÉ, djembe player MADOU KONÉ and vocalist KABINÉ KOUYATÉ.
Thursday 23 Sept | Jazz Café | 7.30pm
0207 485 6834 | www.jazzcafe.co.uk
OMAR SOSA ( Cuba )
Cuban pianist and Grammy winner Omar Sosa’s music is a unique mix of afro-Cuban jazz and world music. This music is rooted in the irresistible clave grooves of Latin jazz, the folkloric traditions of African Diaspora, the joyful blend of contemporary jazz and afro-Caribbean rhythms. Tonight with his Afreecanos Quartet featuring Senegalese vocalist MOLA SYLLA, Mozambican bassist CHILDO TOMAS and Cuban drummer JULIO BARRETO they play from the new cd “Afreecanos” (Ota Records, 2010) featuring music influenced by his recent visit to 9 countries in East Africa . This is Latin jazz with world music attitude.
Friday 24 Sept | Stratford Circus | 7.30pm
Tickets: 0844 357 2625 | www.stratford-circus.com
OSIBISA ( Ghana )
Osibisa, one of the legendary pioneers of world music and the inventors of global fusion, opened the door to African pop music with world-wide sm ash hits “Sunshine Day”, “Dance The Body Music”, “The Warrior” way back in the 70s. Their tr ade mark of infectious African rhythms, soulful vocals and pop sensibilities all driven by great song writing has never been better. This year the band founded by Teddy Osei celebrates their fortieth anniversary and they still sound as innovative and powerful as ever. It is with great honour that the festival welcomes this legendary band. Expect all the great hits and many more from their incredible back catalogue.
Saturday 25 Sept | Stratford Circus | 7.30pm
Tickets: 0844 357 2625 | www.stratford-circus.com
NAIJA GROOVE
Dele Sosimi, Funmi Olawumi and Juwon Ogungbe
+ Kunle Olasoju's Naija Rhythm Orchestra
Naija Groove is a special one-off project that brings three outstanding singers, Juwon Ogungbe, Dele Sosimi and Funmi Olawumi and a host of guests to join forces with the 10-piece Naija Rhythm Orchestra lead by guitarist Kunle Olasoju to tear up the dance floor in celebration of 20 years of Joyful Noise. The three singers embody the widest cross-section of Nigerian music, hence Naija (slang for Nigeria ). Dele Sosimi lives and breathes afrobeat as he was for many years the pianist of choice for Fela Kuti and Femi Kuti. Juwon Ogungbe is a pianist-singer who has worked extensively in both African and classical music. Funmi Olawumi is the le ade r of the Yoruba Women Choir and one of the finest Yoruba singers on the scene today. Naija Groove promises to be spectacular. Expect music of immense power driven by the rich eloquence of the infectious rhythms of the talking drums.
produced by Joyful Noise
Biyi Adepegba, artistic director
Barbara Pukwana, festival director
020 7328 9613 | 07956 227 012