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Two significant events of note this week not included in the last newsletter:

Emmanuel Jal at Hart House, Wed. Feb. 18

The Sudanese singer became a world music star with his 2005 CD, Ceasefire, recorded with countryman Abdel Gadir Salim. The music, crossing boundaries from hip hop to traditional Arab music, was a musical and emotional plea for peace and reconciliation in his war torn country, made all the more moving by Jal's own story.

Originally recruited at the age of 7 as a child soldier in the Sudanese People's Liberation Army, he endured horrendous experiences, before finally being rescued by an English aid worker who smuggled him into Kenya. It was there he discovered music as an escape, but more importantly as a path to peace for himself and as a solution to the hatred and killing he had been a part of.

The Ceasefire CD was particularly symbolic for partnering the two musicians from the two warring cultures in Sudan. Since its release he has been a visible symbol of the horror of war, conflict, and in particular the exploitation of children in those wars. He's worked with Amnesty International, UNESCO and other organizations, and performed at the 2005 Live Aid among other events.

More recently, his story is on display in Warchild: his new CD, a book, and a documentary. On Wednesday, he will be speaking about his experiences, and signing the book.

7:30pm. Free, Debates Room, Hart House, University of Toronto Location:

Links:
Location: http://www.harthouse.utoronto.ca/hh/page.php?id=ABT08
Emmanuel Jal website: http://www.emmanueljal.org/
Book Review: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/05/AR2009020503414.html
Movie website: http://www.warchildmovie.com/

 

Missia Saran (Dioubaté): Sat. Feb. 21

The Guinean griot (aka "the Little Pepper") will be performing Saturday at 25 Cecil St. (south of College, between Beverley and McCaul). She has made a couple of her own albums; more recently she was featured on the CD, Dununya by her cousin, Famoro Dioubaté. Banning Eyre's review on Afropop gives an idea of her talents:

The real vocal fireworks on Dununya come from Missia Saran Dioubate, a bona fide griot diva who has also spent considerable time in New York in recent years. Whether topping vocal choruses, or stepping out solo—in praise of African leaders on “Souaresi,” or of Famoro’s New York “mother” on “Mariama Traoré—Missia has the sort of thrilling delivery that instantly communicates why griot singers wield such emotional power among the Mande.
 

Video of her performing in NYC, 2007. (Dioubaté on balafon): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ql3ipli8hbg

Doors open 8, show starts 9:30/10:00. $25 adv (phone: 416 276-0547), $30 door.

John Leeson
www.to-music.ca