Twitter: @CarolAnande Instagram: @CarolAnande Facebook: @CarolAnande
The ‘golden voice’ of Africa Salif Keita, visited our country for the second time on stage, last Friday the 28th of August. This in Zanzibar during the Jahazi Literature & Jazz Festival, it was an epic night as you’ll note in photos and videos below.
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| Salif Keita on stage at the Jahazi Festival'15 |
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| The Kora player from Guinea Conakry in the same family with Sory Kandia Kouyate playing for Salif Keita at the Jahazi Festival'15 |
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| Souleymane Kouyate on his N'goni as one of the musicians backing Salif Keita at Jahazi Festival'15 during soundcheck |
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| Guy Nwogang the percussionist with Salif Keita at Jahazi Festival'15 during sound check |
The evening began with Brian Mugenyi the saxophonist from Uganda whose star is rising as one of the best young saxophonist in East Africa. He was relaxed on stage and having seen him a couple of times now I predict the man is like, a young vintage from the finest of vineyards such that with time he only gets better & better.
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| The man himself Salif Keita onstage at the Jahazi Festival'15 |
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| From left guitarist Djessou Mory Kante with the DJ Abou Cisse |
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| Salif Keita towards the end of his set where the audience couldn't help but dance at thr Jahazi Festival recently |
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| The back up singers for Salif Keita at Jahazi Festival'15 |
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| Souleymane Kouyate during the performance |
This was confirmed when the next act performed, all the way from France they’re a jazz quartet with the name ‘The Ear Witness Band’. They are deep in Jazz Ville and rightly so as I learned their horn player alone has 40 years experience. Luckily the tricky sound was kinder to percussive rhythms so their drummer Felix just soared with his drum kit.
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| The man 'Felix Sabal Lecco' on the drums paart of 'The Ear Witness Jazz quartet' who left us speechless |
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| Simon Sphanghansen on the Soprano Saxophone working it effortlessly with The ear witness band' at Jahazi Festival recently |
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| From left Mario Canonge on the keys with Thomas Fonuesbaek on the base guitar of 'The Ear Witness Band' |
The next act was Carl Winther which is the name of the quartet’s Pianist. Known to Denmark as one of the best young pianist in the country, he experienced full on the brunt of the sound problem. As times he just had to surrender and not play for it seems the instrument wasn’t functioning as should be. Again all wasn’t lost, their double bass player Johnny Aman playing the ‘Stico’ was able to lose himself and it was evident the man can work that instrument.
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| Mr Damian Soul doing his thing at the Jahazi Festival recently |
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| Brian Mugenyi on the Sax jamming with his guitarist Peter |
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| Brian Mugenyi at the Jahazi Festival'15 |
By now we’re all anxious to see the star of the night, Jahazi Festival ran for three days this year from the 28th to the 30th. Only on this opening night was Salif Keita performing, personally I had never seen him so I was just salivating to see him.
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| The Carl Winther Jazz Quartet at the Jahazi Festival'15 |
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| Johnny Aman of 'Carl Winther' jazz quartet doing his thing on the 'Stico' at Jahazi Festival'15 |
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| Carl Winther the pianist who was flabbergasted by the sound while he was on stage at Jahazi Festival'15 |
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| I spotted this on stage during sound check it's Johnny Aman's instrument a 'Stico' hadn't seen it before neat right |
Already prior to the start of the show I had bumped heads with some of his musicians for the night. Including the percussionist Guy Nwogang, he had an impressive drum kit comprising of several conga drums, the hi-hat & the Cajon.
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| It was a full moon on the 28th August when Salif Keita visited perfect weather at Ngome Kongwe amphi theatre in Zanzibar during the Jahazi Festival |
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| The MC for the night Fashion Designer Farokh Abdalla |
No he’s not from South America he’s very African a native of Cameroon. As well on that stage with Salif Keita were instruments like the Kora & the N’goni. I chatted with Souleymane Kouyate and Djessou Mory Kante who were the N’goni and Guitarist players respectively, very talented & experienced musicians.
When Salif got on stage already his musicians were in position altogether they were in white garbs. The lighting for the night was on point so on that Ngome Kongwe stage, things looked pristine. Salif was now seating at the sole chair in front which was bathed in a golden hue with his white flowing robes he looked like a king from North Africa. Ironically he does have royal blood from his native country Mali.
Ironic for born albino his early life was full of prejudice and when he announced his choice to be a musician, it was frowned upon for traditionally the royal family there doesn’t play music. The fact that today he’s an icon dubbed as the ‘golden voice’ of Africa as well one of the founders of Afro pop. The man is surely executing his royal duty in flying high the flag of his nation in Mali.
Listening to him on stage was profound, even though the sound was just not fitting of the musician who is the first band leader from Africa to receive a Grammy. The performance didn’t lose much of its appeal as the fans just couldn’t get enough.
He played hits like Yamore, Tu Vas Manquer & Africa. By the end of the night audiences were on their feet crowding the periphery of that amphi stage as thought it’s a night club. I’m very grateful to Jahazi for bringing this legend to town.
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