The upcoming musical event, Mini-Global Mashup: Stride Piano Meets Guinea, on May 21, 2023, will showcase a captivating collaboration between two talented musicians from vastly different cultures. Renowned jazz pianist, Anthony Coleman, and globally recognized balafonist, Famoro Dioubaté, will come together to produce a unique and dynamic performance.
Anthony Coleman’s impressive musical background has taken him on a journey through many cultures and allowed him to excel as a composer, improvising keyboardist, and teacher. Coleman previously studied at NEC’s Contemporary Musical Arts program, formerly known as Third Stream, in the 1970s. Currently, he teaches and coaches the Contemporary Musical Arts students at NEC and organizes a departmental concert each spring.
Famoro Dioubaté, on the other hand, is recognized as one of West Africa’s most talented and graceful balafonists, hailing from Conakry, Guinea. He comes from a long family lineage of griots, African oral historians, and musicians, which dates back to the 13th century.
The balafon, a 23-key wooden xylophone on a diatonic scale, is crafted by hand in the Guinean countryside, and Dioubaté’s playing style emphasizes different notes to form delightful, looping cross-rhythmic melodies that shift shapes.
Dioubaté’s balafon style is primarily traditional and can blend well with any musical style, from classical duos to jazz bands. His confident and graceful playing style is particularly noteworthy, as he delicately and firmly places notes around the often unplayed beat, creating a mesmerizing effect on the audience.
To purchase tickets, www.flushingtownhall.org/stride-piano-meets-guinea
For more information:
www.flushingtownhall.org
(718) 463-7700 x222
137-35 Northern Blvd. Flushing, NY 11354
Author: World Music Central News Room
World music news from the editors at World Music Central