of art & design
Rokia Traoré
Saturday, April 10, 2010 at 8pm
Stewart Theatre
It all started with a sound inside Rokia Traoré's head. The most adventurous singer-songwriter in Africa knew that she wanted to create a new musical style that was "more modern, but still African, something more blues and rock than my folk guitar." The daughter of a Malian diplomat who was posted to the USA, Europe and the Middle East, she studied in Brussels and worked in a rap band before deciding to go back home to Mali to create the music she wanted, which was to be not pop, not jazz, not classical, but contemporary with traditional instruments. “Rokia Traoré is creating a sensation among world music fans, reminding audiences anew of her country’s rich music heritage and depth of talent.” – NPR
Pre-show discussion with Philip Van Vleck, who writes about world music and jazz for Metro Magazine, Billboard, The Herald-Sun, National Geographic World Music and Dirty Linen.
6:45pm, Walnut Room
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