Istanbul welcomes a music talent
Güncelleme Tarihi:
Hürriyet Daily News
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Mayıs 22, 2009 00:00
ISTANBUL - The Grammy Award-winning African musician Toumani Diabat will perform in Turkey for the first time tonight at the Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall.
Born in 1965 in Mali, Diabat is one of the continent’s most important musicians. He plays the kora, a 21-stringed harp unique to West Africa. In 1990, Diabat formed the Symmetric Orchestra, using a name that to him evokes a perfect balance Ğ a symmetry Ğ between tradition and modernity, and between the contributions of musicians from many closely related countries. The orchestra’s first release was the elaborate 1992 project "Shake the Whole World," which was only distributed in Mali and Japan.
Maintaining a weekly gig at the Hogon Club in Bamako, the capital of Mali, the group continued to evolve and grow over the years, culminating in the release of the acclaimed album "Boulevard de l’Indpendance" in 2005 and a subsequent world tour.
Recently, Diabat has enjoyed recognition for his contribution to the development of the kora and as a key figure in African music. In 2004, he received the Zyriab des Virtuoses, a UNESCO prize, making him the first black African to be so honored.
The Symmetric Orchestra has proven to be a revelation on the international touring scene, taking time out from its residency at the Hogon Club to build its reputation by headlining concerts at prestigious venues such as New York’s Carnegie Hall and festival appearances including Glastonbury, the Nice Jazz Festival and the Montreal Jazz Festival.
Tickets for the Istanbul concert are available through Biletix.
Maintaining a weekly gig at the Hogon Club in Bamako, the capital of Mali, the group continued to evolve and grow over the years, culminating in the release of the acclaimed album "Boulevard de l’Indpendance" in 2005 and a subsequent world tour.
Recently, Diabat has enjoyed recognition for his contribution to the development of the kora and as a key figure in African music. In 2004, he received the Zyriab des Virtuoses, a UNESCO prize, making him the first black African to be so honored.
The Symmetric Orchestra has proven to be a revelation on the international touring scene, taking time out from its residency at the Hogon Club to build its reputation by headlining concerts at prestigious venues such as New York’s Carnegie Hall and festival appearances including Glastonbury, the Nice Jazz Festival and the Montreal Jazz Festival.
Tickets for the Istanbul concert are available through Biletix.