Monthly Archives: September 2011

Benda Bilili! documentary opens Oct 14

  September 30, 2011 - 11:39 pm | , ,
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A highly acclaimed documentary on the remarkable Congolese group, Staff Benda Bilili will open at the TIFF Lightbox on Oct. 14. The film was the first documentary to ever open the Cannes Festival, where it received a standing ovation. The group has achieved great international success in the last couple of years (but sadly hasn’t yet played Toronto). The members were all homeless street people living on the ground of the Kinshasha Zoo. Many of them are polio victims and perform in their customized wheelchairs. Their story — and their music — is unique and moving. (Their name means “Don’t … Continue reading →

Tonight & upcoming

  September 24, 2011 - 2:55 pm |
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Updates will be infrequent here until sometime in November, but keep an eye here and on the events page (www.events.to-music.ca) as well as Twitter (@tomusicpix) Happening in town today. More details on these and many other shows on the events page. Small World Music Festival holds a free festival all day, 1-11pm at Yonge-Dundas Square. Tich Maredza Band kicks off a long list of musicians and singers. Been hearing quite a bit about Brazliian singer Luisa Maita. Full details here Cheka Dioubaté’s annual Mamaya Festival, features a long list of musicians including Guinean guitarist Mamady Kouyaté. 6-11pm. http://www.mamayatoronto.com/ Also, griot/drummer/dancer … Continue reading →

A few video treats

  September 22, 2011 - 1:47 am |
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Today I was browsing the readers’ forum of the late British DJ, Charlie Gillett, and came across a few video treats… Boubacar Traore The wonderful Malian guitarist/singer will be at Hugh’s Room, Oct. 3. A nice, short video clip here Kandia Kouyate An amazing clip of the Malian griot at the age of 18. She’s the mother of Montreal singer Tapa Diarra. A Ye Sira Bila Otis Redding A timeless voice. The fashion sense… maybe not so timeless. 1966, “A Lover’s Prayer“. Same year, rough video, gritty soul. Stax/Volt Revue in London. B. B. King At the top of his … Continue reading →

Twitter odds & ends

  September 8, 2011 - 2:08 am | , , , , ,
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Some odds & ends,I’ve tweeted or re-tweeted recently….  I’m at @TOMusicPix nprmusicnprmusic    Happy 75th Birthday, Buddy Holly. Hear the story of one of his biggest hits, “Peggy Sue.” http://n.pr/n6OX2D   myworldmusicMyWorldMusicFriends CD Review: Rwanda’s Mighty Popo: Mighty Popo  Gakondo Borealis Records read more http://bit.ly/qsDJHG   » FelaMusicalFELA! on Broadway    An early feature of Fela! on NPR — includes a dance number from the show! http://fb.me/103gqEhkg » SmallWorldNotesSmall World Music    Announcing The 10th Annual Small World Music Festival! http://conta.cc/oMXpTY » ARCMusicProdARC Music    The Queen of Fado – Amália Rodrigues – NEW ALBUM BY ARC MUSIC http://arcmusic.co.uk/shop/thequeenoffadoamaacuteliarodrigues-p-992.html   » … Continue reading →