Maria NoelAfrican Roots and Rhythms: Mamani Keïta (Mali)As a young girl, Mamani Keïta was taught traditional healing songs by her grandmother. Her voice kept attracting attention of others who…1d ago1d ago
Maria NoelAfrican Roots and Rhythms: Nuru Kane (Senegal)His music is a fusion of North and West African rhythms. He plays guitar and bass, but his preferred instrument is the guembri. He fell in…Sep 11Sep 11
Maria NoelAfrican Roots and Rhythms: Mix Tape #25Let’s celebrate the National/Independence Day for Eswatini (Sept. 6), Mali (Sept. 22), Guinea-Bissau (Sept. 24) and Botswana (Sept. 30).Sep 4Sep 4
Maria NoelAfrican Roots and Rhythms: Asmara All Stars (Eritrea)Their music is a fusion of jazz, soul, funk and roots reggae. The band brings together these musical styles along with rarely heard…Aug 21Aug 21
Maria NoelAfrican Roots and Rhythms: Mayra Andrade (Cape Verde)Growing up as the daughter of a diplomat, Mayra Andrade was exposed to musical traditions from Cuba, Angola and Senegal. You can definitely…Aug 14Aug 14
Maria NoelAfrican Roots and Rhythms: Mix Tape #24Celebrating their Independence/National Day this month are Benin (August 1), Niger (August 3), Burkina Faso (August 5), and Ivory Coast…Aug 7Aug 7
Maria NoelAfrican Roots and Rhythms: Babatunde Olatunji (Nigeria)If you are familiar with The Grateful Dead, then you will have heard of this man, who was a drummer, educator and social activist. But they…Jul 31Jul 31
Maria NoelAfrican Roots and Rhythms: Kaïssa (Cameroon)I have always gravitated to socially conscious music. Many of the artists that I feature have lyrics that speak to social issues. Kaïssa’s…Jul 24Jul 24
Maria NoelAfrican Roots and Rhythms: Franco & TPOK Jazz (DR Congo)Franco Luambo Makiadi established his Congolese rumba band in 1956. The band was originally named OK Jazz, after the OK Bar where they…Jul 17Jul 17