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In this issue:
1. Radio re-broadcasts of recent concerts
2. Updated photos; Ndidi's CD; Bana Y'Africa
3. African note: Tsotsi, fRoots, Granta, K'Naan


1. LIVE MUSIC RE-BROADCASTS
February has been an amazingly busy month for music -- especially African music. Three shows (so far) really stand out. If you missed them -- or if you didn't -- you can catch them on upcoming radio shows:

a) Donne Roberts CD Release (Feb. 11, Harbourfront Centre)
A simply superb performance by Donne and his band. Even those who are familiar with how good he has become were impressed. And those who didn't know his music well were quite astonished. Visit The Live Music Report (www.thelivemusicreport.com) for a review of the show by CIUT's Andy Frank and photos by Roger Humbert.

Broadcast details:
CIUT (89.5, or www.ciut.fm)
"It's Alive": Tuesdays, 9-10pm
First set broadcast Feb. 21
Second set to broadcast April 18


b) Ghanaian Palm Wine (Feb. 17, NOW Lounge)
Another of the wonderful "Acoustic Africa" series held at this small, intimate club. Many of the shows in this series have resulted in a real audience-performer dynamic not available in larger venues.

This show, featuring three of the African Guitar Summit musicians was a real gem. Musicians and many in the audience described it as magical. One of the best shows I've been to in a long time.

Again, the show is reviewed at www.thelivemusicreport.com, and will be rebroadcast:
CIUT (89.5, or www.ciut.fm)
"It's Alive": Tue. Feb. 28 9-10pm


c) African Guitar Summit II
The first time the entire group has performed in Toronto since their first concert in 2004. This time they were joined by guest vocalists Muna Mingole and Oumou Soumare.

While the show may have lacked some of the dynamics of typical African music shows (the audience and most performers were seated), the setting allowed us to truly appreciate the great musicianship of these artists.

The group is spending this week recording the second African Guitar Summit CD.

The show will be rebroadcast on CBC Radio's "On Stage" show, March. 12
CBC Radio Two (94.1), 2pm
CBC Radio One (99.1), 8pm



2. OTHER NOTES
a) Recent photos
I've posted photos from the above shows at www.to-music.ca/photos.htm. (There was no photography allowed during the AGS show, however I have some photos from the end of the concert, and group pics backstage).

As well, I have photos from Black Umfolosi (Feb. 10), and will be posting pictures soon from the Feb. 17 Lura show at the Lula, and Feb. 3 concert by Njacko Backo and Fojeba at the Tranzac.


b) CD Released
Ndidi Onukwulu's first CD, No I Never has now been released. Her CD Release Party will be on Mar. 9 at Hugh's Room. See www.ndidi.ca for more info.


c) Upcoming Events
This Friday features Winter Bana Y'Africa at the Tranzac Club, with Show Do Man, Adam Solomon & Tikisa, Fojeba and Tamsir Seck. Check www.to-music.ca/events.htm for details on this and other events.



3. MISCELLANEOUS AFRICAN NOTES:
a) fRoots
Watch for the March issue of fRoots magazine (the U.K. folk & roots publication). This issue focuses on West African musicians, including articles on Ali Farka Toure, Salif Keita, Cheikh Lo, Mariam Hassan (a  Western Sahara singer with an amazing sound) and others. See www.frootsmag.com.

Music from many of these artists are featured on this month's fRoots Radio. You can listen at http://www.mondomix.com/en/radios.php. (Scroll down to "Ian Anderson", and pick the March 2006 program).


b) Tsotsi
Watch for the opening of this South African movie on March 3. Based on a novel by Athol Fugard, it won the People's Choice Award at last fall's Toronto Film Festival, and is nominated for the Foreign Film Oscar. See http://www.tsotsimovie.com/


c) Granta: African issue.
Also, keep an eye out for the current issue of Granta: the paperback magazine known for its wide-ranging and high quality writing and journalism. The current issue is dedicated to Africa. From their website: "This issue of Granta contains fresh voices from Africa, in all their differences, as well as memoir and reportage which reflect the past and present of its people." See http://www.granta.com/latest-issue?usca_p=t


d) K'Naan
The BBC's Charlie Gillett has picked K'Naan's CD as his album of the month. Gillett -- one of the best known figures in world music -- has been playing K'Naan pretty regularly for the last couple of months. See www.thesoundoftheworld.com.


John Leeson
www.to-music.ca


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