Tag Archives: bombino

Bombino: London concert still on (Fri. Apr 13)

  April 12, 2012 - 11:29 pm | ,
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It’s unfortunate that the visas for the Bombino and band did not come through in time for Thursday’s Lula Lounge show; no doubt the band would have rocked the place again. They may be back later this summer, but the good news is that they did finally get the visas this afternoon, and their Friday, April 13 scheduled concert in London, Ont at the Aeolian, put on by Sunfest is still on. Sunfest concert info Article on the visa issues here Bombino interview with CBC music about the situation in Mali (Bombino is a Tuareg from Niger) Below: Bombino at … Continue reading →

CANCELLED: Bombino concert at Lula Lounge, April 12

  April 11, 2012 - 9:33 pm |
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Sadly, it looks like the return of this great Tuareg guitarist to Toronto won’t be happening. From Small World Music: It’s with considerable regret and frustration that we’re forced to cancel tomorrow’s Bombino performance at Lula Lounge. Due to visa complications, the band was unable to enter Canada for this show. We hope for their sake, that they’re able to cross the border in time for some of their other Canadian dates. Obviously, we’ll look for another opportunity to present this wonderful artist and will keep you informed. If you’ve bought tickets for the event, refunds are forthcoming. You can … Continue reading →

April treats

  April 1, 2012 - 1:02 pm |
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A gloomy start to the month of “April showers”, but the musical forecast is anything but. Check the full event listings at www.to-music.ca/events A few goodies picked out from there below. (Details and links for all these shows are in the events calendar) April 5: Brazilian/Mexican grooves at the Lula: Aline Morales and Quique Escamilla. April 6, Batuki Music continues its new “Africa Up Close” series at the intimate NOW Lounge, with Malian griot Sountougoumba “Tapa” Diarra. Only $10 April 11: Jane Bunnett’s “Spirit of Music” benefit for Cuban musicians with a raft of guests including Molly Johnson, Njacko Backo and … Continue reading →

Random recent musical notes

  February 23, 2012 - 1:01 pm | , , , , ,
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A few odds and ends from the musical world recently… A new double CD out on Stern’s of the late Guinean great Sory Kandia Kouyaté. Info, and some music here. Feel free to crank up the volume. Baaba Maal on the food crisis in Mauritania Reports from Senegal recently are that Youssou n’Dour was injured in the leg by a tear gas canister in the unrest over the election situation (and the court decision to not allow him to run for president). See also earlier post on this site And taking another musical perspective on serious political struggles, while the … Continue reading →

Bombino: Nov 29 concert archived online & interview

  November 29, 2011 - 6:50 pm | ,
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Update: Full audio of this concert is archived here The excellent new Tuareg guitarist, Omar Moctar, known as Bombino, played a blistering set this past July at the Lula Lounge, to a highly enthusiastic, but much-too-small audience. He’s touring again, but unfortunately will miss Toronto this time around. Catch him live online though, in a concert webcast by NPR from New York club, Le Poisson Rouge tonight at 8pm. Link & article here Also read an interview and catch some of his album, Agadex, plus some video on Okayafrica here

Musical notes from here & there

  July 28, 2011 - 5:39 pm | , , ,
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A few random musical notes Khaira Arby: The singer from Mali made her first North American tour last fall. Here in Toronto, she sang at the Ashkenaz Festival over Labour Day weekend as a guest with the New York group Sway Machine (and also earlier that day live on air at CIUT FM).  I was impressed enough with her that I went to Montreal later that month to see her with her own band at the Club Balletou. A great performer (live and on her CD, Timbuktu Tarab), she’s now on her third trip to North America, but sadly, nobody … Continue reading →

High Def concert videos posted: videos.to-music.ca

  July 25, 2011 - 12:02 pm | ,
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I’ve created a new site to post some recent (and not so recent) HD concert videos I’ve taken. See www.videos.to-music.ca  Posted so far: Bombino @ Lula Lounge, Jul. 12 Thomas Mapfumo @ Lula Lounge, Jul. 11 Kabakuwo @ Lula Lounge, Jun. 30 Yemen Blues @ Luminato, Jun. 12 Freddie Gwala, Platform One & Tich Maredza, Great Hall, Apr. 16 (below) More to come. (Older, non-HD videos at www.youtube.to-music.ca)

Notes: Mapfumo, Bombino, Ragovoy, Congotronics &…

  July 21, 2011 - 3:42 pm | , , , ,
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Shows at the Lula last week As noted in another post, Thomas Mapfumo closed out Afrofest, but because some of his band members didn’t get visas for Canada, filled in with some local musicians (including guitarist Larry Lewis & Tich Maredza on bass).  Mapfumo wasn’t happy with the struggles to get the tightness he wanted, but those who were at both shows agreed that the whole band was much better with another day under their belts on the Monday night at the Lula, and the dance floor was busy. The next night, Bombino (Omara Moctar), the Tuareg guitarist/singer and his … Continue reading →