Dobet Gnahoré stands at the frontline of West African music as a complete artist – singer, dancer, percussionist and songwriter. She merges African roots with the European influence of her French guitarist, partner and co-writer Colin Laroche de Féline, capturing a rare power in the delivery and purpose of her songs. Performances: SATURDAY 3/3/2012 3:00pm [...]
From out of the Western Sahara, Tinariwen strike up a stunning and rebellious new strain of ‘desert blues’. Ripe with electric guitars and rhythms inspired by the loping gait of the camel, Tinariwen’s songs echo with nostalgia for their ancient Touareg nomadic lifestyle and rage against the indifference to their plight. Tinariwen | Tenere Taqhim [...]
Despite being handicapped by polio and living rough on the streets of Kinshasa, Staff Benda Bilili’s singers, guitarists and percussionists have become a global sensation. The pulse of their Congolese rumba echoes the sounds of Havana, Kingston and Harlem, and their energetic live performances are nothing short of joyous and inspirational. Performances:FRIDAY8:15pm – 9:30pmInternode Stage [...]
Ahmed Dini, Social worker - Victoria National Finalists 2012 (Australian of the Year 2012 ) AfricanOZ congratulates Ahmed Dini for his achievement. We are proud of you mate! Read full story on http://www.australianoftheyear.org.au/recipients/?m=ahmed-dini-2012
Long before Paul Simon went to Graceland, Johnny Clegg flouted apartheid laws in South Africa by forming the seminal mixed-race band Juluka in the 1970s. Teaming with Sipho Mchunu. Johnny’s sensational cross-cultural concept established the template for fusing Western pop with Zulu rhythms – English vocals fixed to an African heartbeat. Interview with Africanoz AfricanOZ [...]
If you haven’t yet had the pleasure of seeing Sydney-based musician Dereb the Ambassador (and even if you have), we suggest you latch onto this opportunity with both hands and hold on tight. Born in Ethiopia, Dereb Desalegn (aka Dereb the Ambassador) grew up surrounded by a family of musicians, and from an early age [...]
Nigerian-French artists Asa and Féfé come to Sydney for the first time. Asa is at ease as the guitar-clasping soulful singer-songwriter and the pop siren bouncing along on a Motown-ish groove. She has drawn comparisons to Erykah Badu and Lauryn Hill with her smoke and honey voice and nod to 60s soul and Afro-beats. A [...]
AfricanOz In Print Spring 2011 issue now available Hot Off the Press. Order your copy, delivered straight to your door! HIGHLIGHTS: This issue celebrating African-born musicians and performers in upcoming events PLUS African Australian sporting heroes in rugby league and Australian rules PLUS African Australian Films, Fashion, News Briefs, Food & more…. all in full [...]
On Thu 20 October 2011, Arts Projects Australia and Melbourne Festival present TOUMANI DIABATÉ at State Theatre, Arts Centre, Bookings: Arts Centre 1300 182 183 or Ticketmaster 1300 723 038 www.melbournefestival.com.au or www.theartscentre.com.au “A genius of African music, the finest living exponent of the kora.” THE GUARDIAN One of the world’s most breathtaking musical talents Toumani Diabaté is coming [...]
Sat 22 Oct at 8pm, Gates 1 & 2 open at 6.30pm, 2hr 35min with interval at Sidney Myer Music Bowl, King’s Domain, Cnr Linlithgow and Alexandra Avenues, Melbourne 3004 Emmanuel Jal who is featuring on the line-up for this year’s closing night concert, notes from the hard road. A musical journey from revolution to [...]
Konono No. 1 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) Konono No. 1 (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Bachelorette (New Zealand) For a band that has been playing music since the 1960s, not many people had heard of Congolese street funk outfit Konono No.1 up until a few years ago. But since being plucked from obscurity by [...]
Grace Barbe performing at the 2011 Bellingen Global Carnival September 30 – Oct 2 Since exploding onto the world music scene with her 2007 single ‘Mon Arive’, Grace has delighted audiences with her mix of reggae, soul, funk and afrobeat, a sound she calls “Afro-kreol”. And with her roots set firmly in the small nation [...]
