T.O. Music Pix Newsletter #75

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1. Looking back: Some highlights of the past month

As usual, Black History Month has been full of great music, along with other events. Two excellent events of note were unfortunately poorly attended. Malian kora master Ballaké Sissoko's Feb. 5 show was already noted in an earlier email.

Last Saturday night, Guinean griot Missia Saran put on a superb show at 25 Cecil St., primarily for the Guinean and West African community. Perhaps the snow squall that day kept people home, but it was more than worth it. It was apparent from before she came into the hall, her powerful voice filling the room from the hallway as she made the entrance.

Another rare event of note was Sudanese "Warchild" rapper Emmanuel Jal's moving talk last week at the University of Toronto about his experience as a child soldier.

Photos of those events are posted at http://to-music.ca/gallery/2009_february

2. Looking ahead: Upcoming events - February goes out with a bang
As usual, Black History Month has been full of great music, along with other events. The last few days of the month are jammed with great music. See www.to-music.ca/events.htm for details on these and other events.

a) Feb. 26: Dhoad Gypsies of Rajasthan
This should be a spectacular event in the intimate setting of the Revival on College. Small World Music's original plan for a VIP reception has been cancelled, but there will be a silent auction prior to the show, raising money for Small World, which has made such huge contributions to music in Toronto for the last 12 years. Come out for the performance, and to support SWM. Doors 8, show 9:30. Details and a video here. Photo below from their 2006 Toronto appearance.

b) It'll be challenge figuring out what to see this weekend:
Feb. 27: African Divas: Tribute to Miriam Makeba
The last of the Black History Month shows sponsored by Music Africa & the Gladstone Hotel promises to be an excellent one, featuring Guinean griot Katenen "Cheka" Dioubaté, Sudanese singer Ruth Mathiang, along with South African group Jabulani with Lizzy Mahashe and guest performer Zaki Ibhrahim. $10, 10pm in the ballroom. Traditional Zimbabwean music and dance from Masaisai open the night with a free show in the Melody Bar. 7pm.

Plus:
Feb. 27: Manding Foli Kan Don: West African music and dance (and Senegalese food) at the Teranga Restaurant with 3 Mohammeds: Diaby, Diarra and Fodé.

Feb. 27:Jane Bunnett with guests Elizabeth Sheppard and Cuban rapper Telmary Diaz at Hugh' Room

Feb. 27: Samba Squad Brazilian Carnaval Party at the Lula Lounge

Feb. 28: Billy Nankouma Konaté & Sani Abu at York University

Feb. 28: Nathaniel Dett Chorale at the Glenn Gould Studio. This year is the 10th anniversayr of the only professional choir dedicated to the performance of Afrocentric music. Last month, the NDC performed in Washington as part of the Inauguration Day ceremonies.

c) Upcoming in March:
Mar 4: "Routes to Peace" at the Lula Lounge with oud player Mel M'rabet, Charlie Roby and Christine Atallah. Details here.

Mar. 6: Bettye LaVette at the Bathurst St. Theatre. Searing soul.

Mar. 7: Darya Dadvar at the Toronto Centre for the Arts. Part of Small World Music's "Sounds of Persia" series.

d) Summer concerts:
Why not? Looking ahead to the summer, a few shows on the horizon. Many of these have not yet been announced or confirmed, but here are a few acts we may be able to look forward to in June and July:

Amadou & Mariam, Harry Manx, Taj Mahal, Sonny Landreth, African Guitar Summit, Femi Kuti & King Sunny Ade (double bill!), Umalali (Garifuna Women's Project), plus of course, Afrofest. Many more to be announced.

John Leeson
www.to-music.ca