Mamadou Sidibe was the first person to change the traditional Malian instrument the doso ngoni, to the now popular kamele ngoni. He changed the number of strings from 6 to 7 and completely changed the melodies from sacred hunters songs to popular music of contemporary African life. He then went on to tour with Malian greats Coumba Sidibe, Oumou Sangare and Ramatu Piakite in Africa, Europe and the US.
Now Mamadou blends his Wassulu melodies with American blues in this new collaboration with his wife, Vanessa Sidibe. Vanessa is an accomplished Afro-Cuban and Salsa musician from the San Francisco Bay Area. She is a multi-linguist, who sings in Spanish, French, English and Bambara (one of Mali’s languages).
Mamadou & Vanessa’s first CD, “Nacama (Destiny),” picked up several awards in 2006, including Best World Song in the Billboard Songwriting Contest and Best World Traditional Song at the Independent Music Awards.
The Sidibes merge two languages (Bambara and English), two cultures and two musical threads, telling soul stories of love, politics and spiritual life.
Discography
Nacama [Destiny] (2005)
Wassoulou (2008)
Learn Kamale Ngoni (2010)
Wulajan (2010)
Faso Mali (2011)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
I’d like to find out what other shows he will be doing in the Bay Area in the future.