The concert “From Bamako to Birmingham” will bring together contemporary African sounds and African American roots music, featuring two of the most celebrated musical acts of these genres: the popular Malian Afropop duo Amadou & Mariam and the legendary gospel ensemble Blind Boys of Alabama. The artists are set to perform on Sunday May 1 at 8:00 pm at Berklee Performance Center in Boston. The New York concert will take place Monday, May 2nd, at The Town Hall in Manhattan. The NYC event is part of the World Music Institute’s Origins Series.
For over forty years, Amadou & Mariam have joyfully combined their love story with a musical career that has made them outstanding ambassadors for African music all around the world. The husband and wife act has played the world’s biggest festivals from Coachella to Glastonbury, opened for rock stars including U2 and Coldplay, and collaborated with producers such as Damon Albarn (Blur, Gorrillaz) and Manu Chao.
With a career spanning over seven decades, Blind Boys of Alabama are recognized globally as living legends of gospel music. They have won five Grammy Awards, been inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, and performed at the White House for three different presidents.
Boston concert information Sunday, May 1 at 8:00 pm at Berklee Performance Center, globalartslive.org, 617.876.4275
New York concert: Town Hall is located at 123 West 43rd St, Manhattan. More information at www.worldmusicinstitute.org
Author: World Music Central News Room
World music news from the editors at World Music Central