BOUBACAR TRAORÉ *live

In the organizer's words:

Boubacar Traoré is a legend in Mali, if not in the whole of West Africa. In his music, the outstanding singer and guitarist combines local cassonké rhythms and Afro-Cuban music with the deep emotional expressiveness of American blues, thus uniting the banks of the Niger with those of the Mississippi. His inimitable, self-taught guitar technique is influenced by the kora, a traditional West African stringed instrument, but his nuances and phrasing are reminiscent of the great blues sounds of the American South, Blind Willie McTell, Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters and others. With melancholy melodies and profound lyrics, he reflects on life in Mali and the challenges faced by the people there.

In the early years of Mali's independence, 20-year-old Boubacar Traoré picked up an electric guitar and shaped the sound of the young state. But after the military coup in 1968, his songs were banned from the radio and Traoré had to support his family as a farmer and small trader. At the end of the 1980s, his comeback was abruptly interrupted by the death of his wife. Traoré went to Paris and made a living as a construction worker. Finally, in 1990, he made a comeback as a musician and recorded six albums in quick succession. Very soon, Vincent Bucher's harmonica became the sonic alter ego of Traoré's voice and guitar playing. Since the turn of the millennium at the latest, he has been celebrated as one of the great fathers and ambassadors of modern Mandingo music, combining characteristic playing techniques and ideas from West Africa with the philosophy of blues from the southern USA.

We are offering discounted tickets for this event to give people with smaller wallets access to culture. These contingents are limited and only available at TixforGigs. We trust in your self-assessment: If you can, book standard tickets and leave the discounted contingents for those who need to save a lot right now.